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HARVARD  UNIVERSITY 

Library  of  the  Medical  School 


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The  Warren  Library 

Dr.  John  Warren 

1753-1815 

Dr.  John  Collins  Warren 

1778-1856 

Dr.  Jonathan  Mason  Warren 
1811-1867 

Dr.  John  ColHns  Warren 
1842-1927 

Dr.  John  Warren 
1874-1928 


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<?i&^  Harvard  Medical  Library 
in  the  Francis  A.  Countwav 
Library  of  Medicine  --Boston 


VERITATEM  PfRMEDIClXAM  QU/ERAMUS 


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DEDICATION 


TO 


V  O  L  U  M  S    III. 


HIS    EXCELLENCY    HENRY  XLIII. 
COUNT    PS    REUSS. 

I  BOLDLY  produce  the  Third  Volume  of  my 
Essays  on  Physiognomy,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Count  de  Reuss.  I  owe  you.  Sir,  this  mark  of  refpe£t 
as  a  trifling  acknowledgment  of  the  great  fatisfacSlion  I  en- 
joyed in,  and  the  improvement  I  derived  from,  your  very 
inftrudlive  converfation,  mixed  with  that  of  your  amiable 
Confort,  in  the  courfe  of  the  excurfion  we  made,  about  two 
years   fince,  to  Switzerland. 

Can  I  with  propriety  addrefs  this  Volume  of  my  Lectures 
to  any  other  than  ycu,  who  enjoy  fo  eminently  that  precious, 
that  envied  tact,  which  is  requifite  to  the  fludy  of  Phyfi- 
ognomy  ;  that  tad  which  you  difplay  with  all  that  force  and 
ardour  that  caara6teri^es  real  Genius. 

Vol.  III.  A  I  do 


[    iv     ] 

I  do  not  write  with  intention  to  flatter  or  deceive  you ; 
no,  I  am  induced  by  perfonal  convidion  to  fpeak  the  genuine 
fentiments  of  my  heart :  and  if  I  thought  it  were  pollible  for 
you  to  doubt  my  fmcerity,  I  fhould  add  another  motive  ; 
that  of  prompting  you  to  moderate  the  ardour  of  Genius 
with  the  calmnefs  of  accurate  obfervation. 

To  confirm  yet  more  that  happy  quicknefs  of  eye  which 
feizes  with  fuch  fagacity  the  beauties  of  Nature  and  Art, 
•ftudy  Man  in  all  his  various  details,  and  appreciate  every  part 
of  his  face  feparately.  Thus  will  you  increafe  your  enjoy- 
ments ;  and  obferve  in  your  fellow-creatures,  every  fucceed- 
ing  day,  new  phyfical,  intelledual,  and  moral  perfections: 
difcoveries  that  cannot  fail  of  attaching,  and  delighting,  a 
heart  like  your's,  full  of  fenfibility. 

It  is  my  earnefl  hope  that  this  Work  will  be  productive 
of  fome  advantage  to  you  in  thefe  different  refpeCls  ;  at  all 
events,  may  it  remember  you  with  what  gratitude  and  vene- 
ration I  am 

Your  moft  obliged  Servant, 

JOHN  CASPAR  LAVATER. 

Zurich, 
May  I,  1787. 


INTRODUCTION 


TO   THE 


THIRD    VOLUME, 


ALTERNATELY  filled  with  joy  and  hope,  yet 
agitated  with  apprehenfion  and  anxiety,  I  enter,  at  length,  on 
the  Third  Volume  of  my  Essays,  or  Lectures,  on 
Physiognomy. 

I  fhall  be  afked,  whence  proceeds  this  anxiety  and  appre- 
henfion ?  Are  you  afraid,  that  you  fliall  not  fulfil  the  high 
idea  which  may  have  been  adopted  of  a  work  fo  important 
as  your's  appears  to  be  ?  Or,  do  you  fear  your  readers  ? 
Do  their  learning  and  rank  over-awe  you  ? 

I  am  not  afhamed  to  acknowledge  that  both  the  one  and 
the  other  of  thefe  confiderations  have  an  influence  on  my 
mind,  for  I  am  not  one  of  thofe  intrepid  authors  who  prefent 
themfelves  confidently  before  the  tribunal  of  the  public  :  on 
the  contrary,  I  feel  fenfibly  all  my  weaknefs,  all  my  infulH- 

ciency. 


[     vi     ] 

ciency,  and  I  cannot  conceal  even  from  myfelf  the  extreme 
difproportion  which  I  find  between  my  ftrength  and  my 
talk. 

This,  hov/ever,  is  not  what  wholly  embarraffes  and  inti- 
midates me — '  It  is  to  fix  the  mind  of  my  reader ;  to  place 
*  the  objects  which  I  have  to  prefent  to  him,  in  his  point  of 
^  view,  fo  as  that  he  may  be  able  to  lay  hold  of  them.' 

He  who  wifhes  to  be  clearly  underil;ood,  muft  write  v/ell. 
The  author  ought  to  form  his  reader ;  for  to  the  former  is 
aHvays  imputed  the  fiightnefs  of  the  impreliicn  made  on  the 
latter,  if  the  only  obje^l:  to  be  obtained  were  to  pleafe  the 
publicj  and  to  carry  off  the  prize  of  general  approbation,  per- 
haps means  might  be  adopted  to  enfure  fuccefs—^but'to  pro- 
duce effeci,  and  precifsly  fuch  an  effect ;  is  the  end  I  pro- 
pofe  to  mjfelf,  and  to  fucceed  therefore  is  not  eafy. 

How  can  a  man  flatter  himfelf  with  being  able  to  exprefs 
fully  and  corredly  what  he  thinks,  and  efpecially  what  he 
feels  ?  What  a  ta:lr  for  an  author,  who  fees  and  who  feels, 
to  procure  for  his  reader  a  fituatioa  from  whence  he  may  fee 
and  feel  as  he  does  himfelf ! 

If  this  tafk  is  fo  laborious  and  difficult  when  Man  is  the 
obje6l:,  how  much  more  fo  mud:  it  be  to  the  writer  on  phy- 
fiognomy  ?  And  the  difficulty  increafes  when  I  think  of  the 
age  in  which  I  write  j  an  age  in  which  every  one  prides  him- 
felf on  his  learning  ;  in  which  all  thofe  who  are  not  authors 
themfelves,  fet  up  for  critics  of  authors  ;  an  age  in  which 
Art  ftifles  Nature,  in  which  the  pure  and  peaceful  enjoy- 
ments 


r  vii  I 

ments  which  (he  procures  are  defpifed,  and  facrificed  to  faife 
and  factitious  pleafures ;  an  age  in  which  all  is  artifice  and 
trick,  and  in  which  the  tinfel  of  drefs,  and  the  afFedtation  of 
ornament,  are  preferred  to  native  and  fimple  beauty. 

What  age  more  unfavourable  to  the  labours  of  the  phyfi- 
onomift ;  of  the  child  of  nature,  who  profefles  to  write  not 
as  an  author,  but  in  quality  of  a  man ;  not  for  the  public, 
but  for  humanity  ?  What  fuccefs  can  he  promife  himfelf  ? 
What  paths  has  he  to  clear  in  order  to  arrive  at  the  know- 
ledge of  the  human  heart,  and  to  make  himfelf  mafter  of  it  ? 
Is  he  fure  of  making  deep  and  lafting  impreflions,  counter- 
acted, as  he  is,  by  a  crowd  of  authors,  and  continually  oppofed 
by  the  tafte  in  vogue  ? 

There  are  certain  happy  moments  proper  for  the  compofi- 
tion  of  his  works,  but  what  are  thofe  he  muft  choofe  ?  Muft 
he  wait  for  thofe  moments  of  calmnefs  and  tranquillity  which 
fo  rarely  occur  in  a  fhort  life,  full  of  trouble  and  anxiety  ? 
Moments  which  all  our  defires  and  efforts  can  neither  pro- 
duce, nor  recall  when  once  they  are  paft ;  moments  which 
are  a  prcfent  from  heaven,  and  which  all  the  gold  in  the 
world  cannot  purchafe ;  moments  which  the  fool  holds  in  de- 
rifion,  which  the  cold  pedant  defpifes,  and  which  are  under- 
ftood  only  by  thofe  who  know  how  to  enjoy  them.  Muft 
the  phyfionomift  prevent  the  dawn  to  commence  his  labours  ? 
Shall  he  refume  them  at  the  clofe  of  the  day,  when,  after  hav- 
ing fulfilled  the  duties  of  a  laborious  vocation,  he  has  need  to 
feek  relaxation  in  the  bofom  of  his  family,  or  the  converfa- 
tion  of  his  friend  ?   Regardlefs  of  health  and  repofe,  Ihall  he 

Vol,  III.  B  con- 


[     viii    1 

confecrate  to  ftudy  the  hours  of  the  night  ?  Shall  he  deftrne 
to  it  thofe  moments  when  the  foul,  tranfported  into  a  kind  of 
ccftafy,  difengaged,  in  fome  fort,  from  the  fenfes  and  from 
matter,  takes  complacency  in  a  fweet  revery,  or  purfues  a 
profound  meditation  ?  Yes,  thofe  delicious  moments  when 
the  man  feels  that  he  is  elevated  above  himfelf;  thofe  mo- 
ments, a  fingle  one  of  which  awakes  in  us  more  ideas,  defires, 
joys,  prefentiments,  and  hopes,  than  wiiole  days,  nay  weeks, 
of  application  are  capable  ot  producing — thefe,  thefe  are  the 
moments  which  the  phyfionomift  ought  to  feize,  to  fpeak  of 
man,  to  paint  and  defcribe  him. — But  will  he  dare  to  give  way 
to  his  enthufiafm  ?  Will  he  have  the  courage  to  commit  to 
paper  a  feeble  copy  of  the  pure  and  fublime  fentiments  which 
penetrate  his  heart  ?  If  he  ventures  to  articulate  a  few  of  his 
thoughts,  will  he  not  be  expofed  to  the  forrow  of  feeing  them 
miftaken,  mifmterpreted,  dei'pifed  ;  and  to  the  regret  perhaps 
of  '  having  caft  his  pearls  before  fwine/ 

The  feeble  progrefs  which  I  may  have  made  in  the  ftudy 
of  man,  and  in  that  of  the  fcience  of  phyfiognomy,  becomes  at 
times  matter  of  affiidion  to  me.  I  am  aiflided  to  fee  that  no 
value  is  put  on  thofe  honeft  and  virtuous  fentiments  which  I 
wifti  to  excite.  I  am  aifli£ted,  when,  inftead  of  embracing 
them,  I  obferve  men  content  themfelves  with  judging,  criti- 
cifmg,  or  admiring  the  acceflbry  props  which  I  employ  to  fup- 
port  them.  I  am  afflicted  to  fee,  that  what,  in  my  idea,  is 
only  a  fimple  mean,  is  confidered  as  the  ultimate  end. 

But  what  fliall  I  fay  of  fo  many  unjuft  criticifms  in  which 
wQie  indui -^e  themfelves,  of  fo  many  raih  judgments  which 

they 


ihey  pronounce  agalnfl  their  neighbour,  and  of  which  I  con- 
fider  myfelf  as  the  caufe,  though  very  innocently  ?  Can  any  | 
one  conceive  all  the  bitternefs  of  my  foul  on  making  this  re- 
fledlion  ?  What,  I  give  occafion  to  malignity  fo  cruel ;  I, 
who  had  no  other  intention  than  to  demonftrate,  or  at  lealt 
convey,  a  prefentiment  of  the  excellency  of  the  Divinity  in 
Man,  the  moll  beautiful,  and  the  moft  perfect  of  his  works — 
I,  who  in  the  features  of  the  face  was  fearching  for  the  lan- 
guage of  truth— I)  who  was  endeavouring  to  trace  in  the  hu- 
man phyfionomy  the  infinite  goodnefs,  beneficence,  and  wif- 
dom  of  the  Father  of  mankind — I,  who  was  flattering  my-' 
felf  with  the  hope  of  opening  and  difFufing  univerfally  new 
fources  of  felicity  and  joy  ! 

This  is  what  I  had  to  fay,  not  by  way  of  complaint  or  ac- 
cufation,  but  fimply  to  unburthen  my  heart  of  a  load  which 
opprefTed  it.  Whoever  thou  art,  Reader,  whatever  be  thy  fi- 
gure, under  whatever  features  thy  foul  may  depi£l  itfelf  upon 
thy  face — whether  my  book  be  fpread  before  thee  on  a  gilded 
lable,  or  deik— whether  ii)  a  circle  of  curious  perfons  thou 
cafteft  upon  it  a  carelefs  eye,  or  whether  In  private  thou  art 
turning  it  over  with  an  eager  hand — believe  me,  neither  the 
clamour  of  falfe  prejudice,  nor  the  fighs  of  blind  devotion, 
(hall  drive  me  out  of  my  road.  I  am  confcious  of  being  in 
the  fearch  of  important  truth,  I  am  fure  that  I  often  find  it, 
and  that  I  faithfully  report  what  I  have  difcovered.  Ought  I 
to  be  flopped  (hort  either  by  contemptuous  fneers,  or  pious 
i  groans,  when  I  am  faithfully  refloring  what  has  been  given 
I  me  ? 

B  2  But 


C  ^  1 

But  that  which  grieves  me  moft  of  all,  that  which  in  my 
folitary  hours  often  fills  my  heart  with  pain  and  anguifh,  is 
my  not  attaining  the  great  end  at  which  I  aimed.  A  fenfe  of 
our  own  dignity;  the  glorious  prerogatives  of  human  nature, 
and  the  grounds  of  fatisfa6lion  which  refult  from  them ;  the 
character  of  divinity  imprinted  on  man;  a  new  fource  of  de- 
licious fenfations  fp ringing  up  for  him ;  this  is  what  few 
readers  look  for,  or  fo  much  as  think  of  looking  for,  in  my 
work.  The  greater  part  confider  it  as  a  piece  of  amufement 
merely — but,  in  truth,  I  am  too  proud  to  ferve  only  as  an  ob- 
je(51:  of  amufement. 

I  afpire  much  higher  than  the  mere  amufement  of  my 
readers.  I  mean  to  infpire  them  with  refpedi:  for  humanity ;  I 
mean  to  point  out  to  them,  in  the  whole  of  our  being,  as  well 
as  in  every  part  taken  feparately,  the  wifdom  of  God,  his  good- 
nefs,  and  his  truth ;  to  convince  them,  that  in  man  all  is  ex- 
preflion,  truth,  revelation,  the  key  of  his  faculties  prefent  and 
future. 

The  fcience  I  teach  is  a  rivulet,  which  frequently  fwells  in- 
to a  rapid  torrent ;  my  defign  is  to  throw  into  it,  here  and 
there,  a  ftone,  on  which  they  may  reft  their  feet,  and  pafs 
from  bank  to  bank.  To  ftretch  out  my  hand,  to  lend  a  little 
fupport  to  their  unfteady  footfteps,  is  all  that  I  can  do :  but  it 
is  far  beyond  my  power  to  divide  the  ftream  by  a  miraculous 
rod,  or  to  introduce  a  whole  army  dryfhod  into  a  land  flow- 
ing with  milk  and  honey. — Men,  I  wifh  to  unite  my  efforts  to 
yours,  that  we  may  learn  to  know  man ;  I  wiQi  to  make  you  'y 
feel  what  happinefs  and  glory  there  is  in  being  what  we  are. 

If 


[  «  ] 

If  the  uncertainty  of  fuccefs  have  frequently  a  tendency  to 
deprefs  me,  my  foul  is  at  other  times  filled  with  hope  and  joy, 
when  I  catch  a  glimpfe  of  the  probability  of  reclaiming  fome, 
perhaps  a  confiderable  number,  of  my  readers,  were  it  but  fuc- 
ceffively  too,  and  after  the  firft  fermentation  is  over.  Yes,  I 
flatter  myfelf  flill  with  the  hope  of  difFufing  more  and  more 
the  facred  fentiment  which  man  ought  to  have  of  his  own  dig- 
nity. My  courage  revives,  my  ftrength  is  recruited,  my 
heart  expands  to  the  reception  of  delight,  when,  with  my  pen 
in  my  hand,  filled  with  my  fubjecSt,  or  preparing  to  comment 
on  a  print,  I  give  way  to  fuch  confolatory  ideas  as  thefe :  '  My 

*  Work  fhall,  after  all,  be  more  than  an  amufement  to  many 

*  of  my  readers.     Let  a  hundred  of  them  confider  it  in  this 
'  light,  with  all  my  heart :  it  is  one  advantage,  at  leaft,  to  have 

*  fo  harmlefsly  employed  their  leifure ;  who  can  tell  into  what 

*  mifchief  the  oppreffion  of  idlenefs  might  have  plunged  them  ? 
'  Provided  I  find  but  ten  on  the  other  fide,  whom  I  engage  to 

*  reflect,  to  feel,  to  a6i:  after  me ;  provided  that  of  thefe  ten 

*  there  be  found  only  a  flngle  one  who  is  led  to  rejoice  more 

*  than  he  did  in  his  own  exiftence;  a  fingle  one  who  is  brought 
'  to  feel  more  forcibly,  how  juft  and  true,  in  all  his  works,  is 

*  he  who  created  all  things;  a  fingle  one  who  arrives  at  the 

*  conviction,  that  the  fmalleft  particle  is  of  the  greateft  impor- 

*  tance  in  the  connection  of  the  whole,  and  ft  ill  ferves  to  mani- 
*  felt  the  wifdom  and  the  power  of  the  Creator.* 

Other  ideas,  equally  confoling,  prefent  themfelves  to  mj 
mind,  and  promife  me  different  fources  of  fatisfaCtion,     '  I 

*  figure  to  myfelf  a  ftudious  young  man  to  whom  a  benevo- 

*  lent  protestor  has  lent  my  book.    He  does  not  content  him- 

B  3  «felf 


<  felf  with  turning  it  over  in  a  hurry  ;   he  me Jitates  on  it  with 

*  attention;  he  finds  truth  in  it,  and  rejoices  in  having  found 
*it;  or  elfe  he  difcovers  a  feeble  pafiage,  indigefted  ideas, 

*  which  have  not  been  unfolded  with  fuiScient  perfpicuity — 
'  and  he  exerclfes  his  own  judgment  in  completing,  in  eluci- 

*  dating,  in  re6lifying  what  had  efcaped  me.     One  of  his 

*  friends  joins   him  ;  he  flops  him  fliort,  or  goes  along  with 

*  him  ;  he  animates  or  checks  him  ;  he  teaches  him,  or  learns 
«  of  him,  to  obferve  man,  to  know  him,  to  love  him,  and  to 

*  fet  a  value  upon  him. 

*  There  I  behold  hufband  and  wife,  who,  by  a  knowledge 
'  more  profound  of  their  phyfionomies,  improve  their  mutual 
<  tendernefs  and  efleem,  difcover  in  each  other  a  new  trea- 
'  fure  of  qualities  which  they  had  not  hitherto  perceived. 

**>!  reprefent  to  myfelf  a  tutor,  a  father,  beginning  attentively 
<'tO  infpecft  into  the  conduct  of  his  pupils  or  his  children  ;  I 
*  imagine  myfelf  more  clofely  examining  the  form  and  flruc- 
*•  ture  of  their  body,  the  contours  of  their  face,  their  features 
'  and  geflures,  their  gait  and  their  handwriting  :  apportioning 
'  to  every  one,  with  more  choice  and  difcernment,  the  talk 
'  which  he  is  able  to  perform  ;  and  exadiing  from  each  that 

*  only  which  he  is  in  a  condition  to  furnifh. 

*  I  reprefent  to  myfelf  the  youth  looking  round  for  one  to 
'  whom  he  may  unite  himfelf  in  the  bonds  of  fricndfhip ; 

*  the  grown  man  who  wiflies  to  choofe  a  companion  for  life, 

*  whom  his  heart  can  approve,  and  fuitable  to  his  circum- 

*  ftances  ;  a  father  feeking  for  a  tutor  to  his  fons ;  a  man  in 

*  place,  wanting  to  procure  the  alfiftance  of  a  perfon  of  ability, 

'to 


^  to  diminlfh  the  labours  of  office  ;  a  prime  mlnlflcr  who  has 

*  occafion   for  a  difcreet  and  faithful    fecretary  ;  perhaps  a 

*  prince,  who  wants  tointruft  the  dire6li«n  of  his  affairs  to  a 
^  minifter  in  whofe  difintereftednefsj  capacity,  and  integrity,  he 

*  can  fully  confide  J  this  fame  prince  who  learns  better  to  dif- 

*  tingui/h,  in  the  fequel,  the  perfon  who  ferves  him  with  zeal, 
'  from  one  who  betrays  his  interefts.     Thefe  perfonao-es,  con- 

*  dueled  by  the  fcience  of  Phyfiognomy,  will  be  reconciled  to 

*  it,  will  feel  its  falutary  efFeds,  and  will  acknowledge  that  the 
'  exterior  of  man  is  not  deceitful.* 

VxThen  I  feaft  on  thefe  delicious  hopes,  which  certainly  are 
not  all  illufory,  my  uneafinefs  is  laid  to  refl,  my  anxiety  ceafes, 
my  courage  returns,  I  live  again  to  joy,  I  refume  my  pen,  and 
I  commit  to  paper  my  thoughts,  my  fenfations,  my  obferva- 
tions,  my  experiments,  and  my  hypolhefes — I  feel  myfelf 
impelled  to  Vv'rite,  and,  purfuing  my  vocation,  I  endeavour  to 
intereft,  in  a  manner  at  once  ufcful  and  agreeable,  the  heart 
and  the  underftanding  of  every  Reader  who  feeks  for  truth, 
and  of  all  thofe  who,  without  fufE;ring  themfclves  to  be  carried 
along  with  the  approbation  or  cenfure  of  the  multitude,  arc 
capable  of  feeing  and  judging  for  themfelves. 

It  will  be  ken  in  the  end  how  much  was  left  for  me  to  fay ; 
it  will  be  more  and  more  underftood  that  the  fciente  of  phyfi- 
onomies  prefents  to  thofe  who  cultivate  it,  a  field  that  knows 
no  bound.  Each  of  the  chapters  which  follow,  might  eafily 
become  the  fubje^  of  a  whole  V^olume.  Human  Nature  is 
an  inexhauflible  mine,  whofe  produce  is  equally  precious  and 
important.     I  forefee  that  of  every  fubject  which  1  am  going 

B  4  to 


[    xiv     ] 

to  treat  of,  the  Reader  will  be  difiatislied  that  I  do  not  fpeak 
more  at  large  :  but  I  muft  fet  bounds  to  myfelf ;  fatisfied> 
however,  that  I  have  not  loft  fight  of  my  principal  objeft 

Zurich, 
June  i,  1787* 


ir^-i-fc-'jT- *"^^-^"  II    '"— "■ 


LECTURE    I. 


fELECT    EXTRACTS,     FROM   VARIOUS    AUTHORS  J     WITH    ORI- 
GINAL   OBSERVATIONS. 

BACON. 

*  EDUCATION,  and  the  principles  of  virtue,  frequently  rci^ify 
our  iirft  propenfities,  and  our  natural  difpofitions.* 

II. 

*  IT  may  be  faid  of  men  disfigured  by  Nature,  that  they  en- 

*  deavour  to  avenge  themfelves  of  the  affront   they  have  received 

*  from  her.     How  happens  it  that  they  are  ufually  peevifh,  quarrel* 

*  fome,  or  fatirical  ?     Is  it  that  they  feel  the  perpetual  ridicule  to 

*  which  they  fee  themfelves  expofed,  and  that  felf-love,  which  is  de- 

*  termined  to  lofe  nothing,  take  its  revenge  on  the  fide  of  raillery 

*  and  invedlive,  or  is  it  that  they  have  received  courage  as  an  indem- 

*  nification  ?     Whatever  be  in  this,  you  may  reft  affured  that  if  you 

*  have  any  blemifh  in  mind  or  body,  the  blockhead  or  the  ugly  fel»  ^ 
low  will  be  the  firfl  to  remark  it. 

*  Homelinefs  difarms  the  fufpicions  and  the  envy  of  the  great, 

*  who  ufually  confider  a  deformed  perfon  as  a  being  from  whom 

*  they  have  nothing  to  fear, 

*  He  who  conceals  great  genius  under  an  unpromifing  exterior, 

*  will  fucceed  fo  much  the  more  certainly,  that  his  competitors  are 

*  under. 


i6  lavater's   physiognomv. 

*  onder  no  apprehenfion  from  him.     Uglinefs  is  perhaps  the  very 

*  circumftance  which  opened  to  many  great  men  the  career  of  ho- 

*  nour. 

«  We  are  aftoniflied  that  Emperors  ihould  have  made  eunuchs 

*  their  favourites  j  but,  belides,  that  pcrfons  weak  of  themfelves,  and 

*  defpifed  by  all  the  world,  are  hence  more  firmly  attached  to  their 

*  only  fupport,  is  it  not  evident,  that  they  made  choice  of  them  ei- 

*  ther  for  the  agreeablenefs  of  their  converfation,  or  in  the  view  of 

*  making  them  confidents,  fpies,  informers,  and  never  minillers  ^ 

*  Virtue  or  malignity  arc  the  arms  of  the  deformed.     Thefe  two 

*  refources  can  make  extraordinary  men  of  them.     Of  this  Agefi- 

*  laus,  Zanga,  the  fon  of  Soliman,  Efop,  Gafca  governor  of  Peru,  and 

*  perhaps  Socrates,  are  examples.' 

(All  tiieperfons  of  my  acquaintance  who  are  either  deformed,  or 
of  a  feeble  organization,  referable  one  another  in  three  particulars. 
They  employ  much  accuracy  and  neatnefs  in  their  writings,  their 
accompts,  and  arrangement  of  their  domeftic  affairs :  they  refled 
calmly  on  every  fubjedt ;  they  have  a  diflike  to  violent  exercife. 
We  may  farther  add,  that,  with  a  cold  temperament,  they  eafily  fall 
into  vehement  emotions,) 

<  Thofe  who  are  under  the  prefTure  of  calamity,  fays  Terence, 

*  are  generally  too  of  a  fufpicious  character  ;  they  imagine  they  muft 

*  always  have  mortification  and  contempt  to  encounter,   and  it  is 
« the  fenfe  they  have  of  their  own  weaknefs  which  excites  this  fuf- 

*  picion.* 


HI, 

<  There  are  fix  different  ways  by  which  we  arrive  at  the  know- 
«  ledge  of  man  ;  namely,  by  ftudying,  i.  The  features  of  his  face; 
«  2.   His  language;    3.  His  adions :  4.    His  inventions;   5.  His 

*  views ;   6.  His  connexions.     As  to  the  Features  of  the  Face,  the 
«  old  proverb,  Fronti  nulla  JiJes'-ththcQ  isa  falfe  mirror — ought  not 

•  to  perplex  us.     This  phrafc  may  be  true  to  a  certain  degree,  with 

•refpedt 


lavater's    physiognomy.  ijr 

*  refpcfl  to  fome  arbitrary  movements  of  the  phylionomy  ;  but  it  is 

*  not  the  lefs  decidedly  clear,  that  the  mouth,  the  eyes,  and  the  line- 

*  aments  of  the  face  have  a  play,  and  variations,  infinitely  delicate, 

*  which  opens,  as  it  were,  according  to  a  very  lively  expreflion  of 

*  Cicero,  a  gate  to  the  foul.     No  one  ever  carried  farther  the  art  of 

*  diffimulation  than  Tiberius  did,  and  yet  obferve  how  Tacitus  has 

*  charaflerized  the  ft}de  of  panegyric  pronounced  by  that  Emperor 

*  in  the  Senate,  in  honour  of  Germanicus  and  of  Drufus.     In  fpeak- 

*  ing  of^Germanicus,  (fays  the  Latin  hiftorian)  his  expreffions  /vere 

*  much  too  afFe(51ed  and  artificial  for  the  heart  to  have  an  intereft  in 

*  what  he  faid.     He  was  lefs  diffufe  in  his  Encomium  on  Drufui, 

*  but  he  employed  fo  much  the  more  truth  and  warmth  in  it, 

*  Tacitus  informs  us  elfewhere  that  this  fame  Tiberius  fometimes 

*  fhewed  himfelf  without  a  mafk,  and  appeared  in  his  natural  cha- 

*  ra6ler.  His  language  was  almofi:  always  affedied;  but  when  he  quit- 

*  ted  diffimulation,  he  expreifed  himfelf  in  a  natural  and  eafy  man- 

*  ner.     In  effe£l,  however  dexterous,  and  however  expert,  a  man 

*  mav  be  in  the  art  of  difguifing  himfelf,  it  will  be  difficult  for  him, 
«  however^  to  acquire  the   complete  management  of  his  counte- 

*  nance;  and  in  a  difcourfe  wherein,  from  beginning  to  end,  he  is 
<  obliged  to  difguife  his  real  fentiments,  his  ilyle  will  favour  of  the 

*  conftraint  which  he  feels  :  he  will   be  fometimes  vague  and  con» 

*  fufed,  fometimes  cold  and  languid,  and  always  embarraifed.* 

(I  go  farther,  and  extend  this  remark  even  to  the  found  of  the 
voice,  which  I  divide  into  three  difi^erent  claffes.  It  will  be  drawl- 
ing, or  forced,  or  natural,  that  is  to  fay,  articulated  without  ei- 
ther effort  or  indolence.  After  this  diftindion,  fo  limple,  every 
fpecies  of  tone  of  voice  appears  to  me  fignificant,  in  that  it  indi- 
cates a  chara(Pier  which  is  under,  or  beyond,  or  exaftly  up  to  the 
level  of  truth.) 


IV. 


*  Love  and  envy  are  the  only  afl^eftions  of  the  mind  which  feem 

*  to  a£t  upon  us  by  a  kind  of  enchantment.     Both  of  them  produce 
^<  very  violent  emotions ;  both  exert  a  prompt  influence  on  the  ima- 

*  gination,  and  the  fenfes  j  both  are  painted  in  the  look,  efpecially 

Ma 


iS  layater's  physiognomy. 

*  in  prefence  of  the  objefl  which  excites  thenio     In  Scripture,  envy 

*  is  denominated  an  eml  eye ;  and  among  the  effeiSs  of  ihis  paffion, 

*  fome  have  imagined  they  remarked  a  twinkling  and  a  certain  ra- 

*  diation  of  the  eyes.     Some  curious   obfervers,   puihing  their  re- 

*  marks  farther,  have  pretended  that  this  movement  of  the  eyes  be- 

*  comes  ftill  more  fenlible  and  more  hateful  when  the  objedl:  of  our 

*  envy  appears  before  us   in  a  Itate  of  profperity  and  glory.     The 

*  fuccefs  of  a  rival  is  grievoufly  imbittered  to  us  if  we  are  wilnefTei 

*  of  it ;    and  the  fuperiority  which  they  feem  to  make  us  feel,  more 

*  and  more  irritate  our  felf-love.*  . 


•  Deformed  or  Mutilated  Perfons,  Old  People,  and  Baftards,  are 

*  ufually  difpofed  to  envy.     Incapable  of  mending  their  condition, 

*  they  endeavour  to  hurt,  as  much  as  they  can,  thofe  who  are  in  a 
«  more  happy  fituation.     The  rule,  however,  admits  of  exceptions, 

*  when  external  blemifhes  are  in  company  with  an  elevated  mind, 

*  Many  great   men  have  been  feen   forcing  an  increafe  of  glory 

*  from  theimperfedionsof  thebody.  Theideaof  hiftorytranfmitting 

*  to  pollerity  that  an  eunuch  or  a  cripple  fignaiized  himfelf   by  the 

*  moft  brilliant  adions,  this  idea  whetted  their  courage.     Narfes  the 

*  eunuch,   Agefilaus,  and  Tamerlane,  both  of  them  lame,  furnifh 

*  fufficient  proof  of  this.* 


yi. 


OF    BEAUTY. 

*  Virtue,  like  the  carbuncle,  has  no  value  and  luftre  but  in  itfelf  j 

*  beauty   derives  no  heightening   from  the  cafe  in  which  it  is  fet  j 
<  rarely  do  they  meet  together,  as  if  Nature  had  more  carefully 

*  avoided  the  formation  of  monfters,  than  afpired  after  the  prcduc- 

*  tion  of  m after-pieces.     Politenefs  and  elegance  are  the  compa- 
«  nions  of  beauty  j  but  elevation  of  mind  and  genius  do  not  necef- 

*  farily  enter  into  thisaffortment.     Exceptions  however  muft  be 

*  made.     Augulbs,  Titus,  Philip  the  Beautiful,  King  of  France, 
Edward  IV.  King  of  England,  Alcibiades  the  Athenian,  and 

'  lihmatl 


S.AVATE«.*«      FHYSIOONOMTi  1^ 

«  Iflimael  the  Perfian,  were  at  once  famous  for  their  beauty,  and  for 

*  their  great  mental  qualities, 

*  Beauty  demands  fymmetry  of  features  rather  than  brightnefs  of 

*  colouring,  and  grace  rather  than  regularity :   it  ccnfifts  in   that 

*  fy  mpathetic  charm  which  univerfally  pleafes,  no  one  can  tell  why; 

*  in  that  enchaLting  harmony  which  all  the  art  of  painting  cannot 

*  give  with  full  effedl.'  (The  author  is  here  confounding  grace 
with  beauty.  Ke  meant  to  fpeak  either  of  the  graces  which  pro- 
ceed from  the  movement  of  accidental  traits,  or  of  the  beauty  whick 
eonliils  in  the  repofe  of  thefe  accidental  traits.) 

*  Even  in  animated  bodies  thefe  graces  do  not  always  ftrike  at 

*  firft.  Befides,  there  is  no  beauty,  however  perfeft  it  may  appear, 
«  but  what  prefenrs  defedls  or  difporportions  in  the  whole  taken  to- 

*  gether.  It  would  therefore  be  difficult  to  determine  which  of 
<  the  two  went  more  aukwardly  to  work,  Apelles  or  Albert  Durer  ; 
^  the  one  of  whom  defigned  his  figures   after  geometrical  propor- 

*  tions,  and  the  other  feleftedj  from  different  models,  one  or  more 
«  beautiful  parts,   in  order  io  compofe  of  them  a  beautiful  whole. 

*  Such  figures  could  prefent  only  fanciful  beauty.* 

{Regularity  does  not  conllitate  beauty,  but  is  the  efiential  bafls  of 
it.  Without  regularity  there  can  be  no  fuch  thing  as  organized 
beauty  J  or,  at  lea!i,  this  beauty,  if  it  could  exiil,  never  would  pro- 
duce, at  the  firft  indance,  thofe  happy  effefls  v»'hich  refult  from  an 
agreeable  fymmetry,  and  exadnefs  of  proportion.  The  human 
body  announces  itfelf  as  a  regular  whole.  The  fmalleft  infignifi- 
cant  irregularity  does  a  real  injury  to  its  beauty.  I  admit,  on  the 
other  hand,  that  the  higheft  degree  of  corretlnefs  does  not,  after  all, 
^onfritute  beauty,  or,  rather,  is  not  fufficient  of  itfelf  to  determine 
a  form  to  be  beautiful.  Durer  was  much  in  the  right,  in  meafur- 
ing  his  figures.  What  God  has  meafured,  man  may  boldly  venture 
to  mealure  after  him.  Without  attending  to  dimenfion,  a  defigner 
never  can  be  fare  of  himfelf  in  any  of  his  produflions  j  never  will 
he  convey  namre  with  truth  i  never  will  he  be  [oraculorum  dlvino^ 
rum  interpres  (the  interpreter  of  the  divine  oracles).  But  if  it  be 
fuppofed  that,  by  nis  geomeirical  proportions,  Durer  dreamt  that  he 

mull 


io  lavater's   PHY  slog  NOMY. 

muft  neceffarily  produce  beauty,  and  that  with  the  help  of  the  com- 
pafles  alone  he  flattered  hlmfelf  he  could  attain  this,  then  alTuredly 
he  merits  the  appellation  of  trifler,  but  not  otherwife.  A  decifion 
io  vague  ought  not  to  have  efcaped  a  philofopher  like  Bacon. — 
What  is  meant  by  Philofophy  ?  It  is  the  determinate  and  deter- 
minable knowledge  of  what  is ;  it  is  the  precife  eftablifhment  of  re- 
lations. Now  who  is  a  philofopher,  if  the  painter  and  defigner  are 
not  fo  ;  they  whofe  profeflions  call  them  to  fludy  man,  the  moll 
important  objedl  of  our  knowledge  and  obfervation  j  and  to  deter- 
mine, with  all  poflible  truth,  the  relations  of  his  form  ? 

The  other  remark  of  Bacon,  with  regard  to  the  manner  of  com- 
pofing  a  beautiful  whole  of  different  detached  parts,  appears  to  me 
much  more  juft  and  judicious.) 

*  It  is  impoffible  for  me  to  imagine/  continues  our  author,  *  that 

*  a  painter  (hould  ever  be  able  to  produce  forms  more  beautiful  than 

*  nature.     For  his  happieil  ideas  he  is  not  always  indebted  (exclu- 

*  lively)   to  the  rules  of  art :  they  are  often  fuggefted  by  a  fpecies 

*  of  hazard,  and  by  unexpected  combinations.  There  are  figures, 
«  the  details  of  which,  viewed  near  and  feparately,   will  fcarcely^ 

*  pleafe,  and  yet  the  whole  will  appear  to  us  admirable/  (Yes, 
but  we  ihould  admire  them  fiill  more,  were  each  of  thefe  details 
beautiful  in  itfelf.  The  millake  of  Bacon,  like  moft  other  miftakes, 
proceeds  from  his  confounding  two  things  which  are  only  analo- 
gous, beauty  and  gracefulnefs.  The  latter  may  exift  without  per- 
fedlnefs  of  defign,  the  former  abfolutely  requires  it.) 

*  If  it  be  true/  (which,  however,  it  is  not)   *  that  beauty  conlifls 

*  principally  in  the  dignity  and  decency  of  the  movements/  (and 
the  choice  of  forms)  *  it  will  be  no  ground  of  aftoniftiment,  that  an 

*  old  man  ihould  fometimes  appear  more  amiable  than  a  man  in  the 

*  flower  of  his  age/  (More  amiable, I  grant, but  nevermore  beau- 
riful.) 


LECTURE 


rsass 


LECTURE  11. 


•  ESERVATIOKS    AND    REMARKS,    BY   A    WHlEiJD  OP    TBI 

AUTHOR* 


1. 

*  EVERY  emotion  of  anger,  frequently  repeated,  announces  it- 

*  felf  by  thick  eyebrows,  which  have  the  air  of  fwelling.'  (I  would 
rather  fay,  that  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  eyebrows  there  arc 
certain  mufcles  which  may  be  confidered  as  pofitive  marks  of  a 
choleric  temper.  Without  this  modification,  the  obfervationof  our 
author  would  be  contradided  by  experience ;  for  there  are  many 
violent  and  paflionate  perfons  in  whom  I  have  not  found  the  fign  of 
which  he  fpeaks.) 

II. 

«  Pride  lengthens  the  form  and  the  mufcles  of  the  face.*  (It  ei- 
ther extends  or  compreiTes  them.  The  former  cafe  announces  the 
littlenefs  of  vanity  ;  the  latter  fuppofes  paffions  ftronger  and  more 
reflc6tive.)     *  Joy  and  the  focial  virtues  replace  the  mufcles,  and 

•  give  back  to  the  face  its  natural  roundnefs. 


tz      '  lavater's    physiognomy; 


III. 


*  If  a  judgment  is  to  be  formed  of  the  charaSer  from  the  move- 

*  meats  and  gait,  I  would  always  lay  a  hundred  to  one  that  a  fee- 

*  fa  win  the  gait  indicates  a  man  indolent  and  felf-fufScient,  cfpeci- 

*  ally  if  he  Ihake  his  head  at  the  fame  time.* 


IV. 


*  I  love  the  dimpks  which  fmiling  forms  in  the  cheek.     The 

*  phylical  traits  have,  in  my  opinion,  a  moral  reference  ;  but  they 

*  are  of  different  kinds.     The  more  that  the  hollow  approaches  to 

*  a  femi- circle,  doling  toward  the  mouth,  the  more  it  feems  to  an- 

*  nounce  felf^ove,  and  becomes  difagreeable.     On  the  contrary, 

*  the  more  it  proceeds  in  a  waving  or  ferpentine  form,  the  more 

*  graceful  it  is.* 


V. 


*  The  opening  of  the  mouth  cannot  be  ftudied  with  fulHcient  at- 

*  tention.     This  iingle  trait  completely  charaderized   the   whole 

*  man.     It  exprelTes  all  the  affedllons  of  the  foul,  whether  they  be 

*  lively,  or  tender,  or  energetic.     Whole  folios  might  be  written  on 

*  the  diverfity  of  thefe  expreffions,  but  it  is  better  to  refer  them  to 

*  the  immediate  fentiment  of  the  obferver,  who  makes  man  his 

*  ftudy,*  (Neverthelefs,  a  defigner,  who  is  a  phylionomift,  will, 
in  time,  acquire  the  capacity  of  deiermining  thefe  differences  to  a 
certain  point.)     *  I  think  I  find  the  feat  of  the  foul  in  the  mufcles 

*  adjoining  to  the  mouth  better  than  in  all  the  reftj  they  do  not  ac- 
f  commodate  themfelves  to  the  ilighteft  difguife.     Hence  the  home- 

*  liefi:  face  ceafes  to  difguilj  while  it  continues  to  preferve,  in  that 

*  part,  fome  agreeable  traits :  hence   nothing  fo  repugnant  to  the 

*  form  of  a  well  organized  man  as  a  wry  mouth.'     (Nothing  more 

true  ;  but  the  mouth  is  not  the  lefs,  on  tha:  account,  the  principal 

feat  of  diffimulation.     And  where  could  that  vice  exprefs  iifeif  to 

more  advantage  than  in  the  a-.oii:  moveable  part  of  the  face  ;  in  that 

which  receives,  more  eafily  than  all  the  others,  the  imprcfs  of  our 

paffions?)  ' 

ii  BuFfow. 


LAVATEr's    ?KYSIOGN  OMY.  T^^^ 

BUFFON. 

I^ee  the  Paris  Edition  of  his  Natural  Hijlory,  Vol.  xi.  p.  c;34. 

The  Count  de  BufFon  has  attacked  Phyiiogncmy  in  a  mod 
J)laiifible  manner  ;  but  his  remarks  are  deftitute  of  found  truth, 
and  confequently  his  oppofition  cannot  be  thought  formidable. 
This  author,  the  ornament  and  the  pride  of  French  literature,  has 
declared  his  difbelief  of  my  favourite  fcience  ;  but  his  fame,  rather 
than  his  arguments,  have  impofed  on  many  ;  he  certainly  knew 
how  to  obferve  and  appreciate,  with  great  exadinefs  and  faga* 
city,  both  the  perfe6lions  and  imperfedions  of  human  nature  ;  he 
made  national  chara6ters  and  national  phyfiognomies  his  peculiar 
fludy  ;  therefore  wdiat  more  could  be  advanced  to  difgrace  the 
fcience  than  that  Buffon  ridiculed  it  I 

This  great  author,  however,  gave  arUtrary  decijions  :•  and  when 
a  man  of  his  reputation  judges  of  a  fcience  in  that  manner,  I 
think  I  may  again  pronounce,  without  hefitation,  that  his  weight 
in  the  fcale  may  be  eafily  overbalanced.  Of  this  let  the  reader 
of  good  fenfe  judge  from  the  following  extradl : 


« 


**  As  all  the  paffions  are  movements  of  the  foul)  moil  of  them 
relative  to  the  imprcffions  of  the  fenfes,  they  may  be  expreffed 
**  by  the  movements  of  the  body,  and  efpecially  by  thofe  of  the 
**  face  :  it  is  poffible  to  judge  of  what  paffes  in  the  interior  by 
**  the  a£lion  of  the  exterior,  and,  from  infpe6lion  of  the  changes 
•*  of  the  face,  to  difcover  the  true  fituation  of  the  fouL"  Here 
my  author  admits  of  Pathognomy !  **  But  the  foul  having  no 
**  fhape  which  can  be  relative  to  any  material  form,  it  is  not  poffible 
**  to  judge  of  it  either  from  the  figure  of  the  body,  or  from  the  form 
*«  of  the  face." 

Here  I  muft  beg  leave  to  interrupt  Mr.  de  BufForu  Unlefs  I 
greatly  miftake,  it  might,  with  equal  propriety,  be  faid,  "  But 
•*  as  the  foul  has  no  movement."  I  take  this  term  in  the  fame 
phyfcal  fenfe  which  here  belongs  to  the  wordiform,  and  I  fpeak 

Vol.  li.  C  of 


LAVATER*S      PHYSIOGNOMY. 


of  a  movement  in  virtue  of  which  the  foul  could  quit  one  place 
and  tranfport  itfelf  into  another  :  if  Is  nvholly  iwpqffihle  to  farm  a 
judgment  of  it,  from  the  movement  of  the  lady,  or  from  the  mufcks 
of  the  face, 

*'  A  deformed  body  may  contain  a  very  exalted  mind,"  refumes 
Mr.  de  Bujffon,  Can  any  perfon  pofTefTed  of  common  fenfe,  or 
common  humanity,  doubt  this  ?  But  it  does  not  follow,  that  every 
face  conformed  badly,  v/ithout  dillindtion  admits  of  all  kinds  of 
capacities,  intelleftual  faculties,  and  talents,  becaufe  certain  badly 
formed  bodies  may  contain  genius  and  talents  ;  nor  mull  it  from 
thence  be  inferred,  that  there  is  not  any  l?ody  badly  formed  which 
pofitively  excludes  thefe  qualities.  For  inllance,  vifit  an  hofpl- 
tal  of  lunatics. 

Every  well  proportioned  and  elegant  form  is  not  always  poffef- 
fed  by  a  luminous  mind,  or  a  virtuous  foul ;  neither  is  the  de- 
formed obje6l,  without  exception,  either  flupid  or  vicious. 

Why  is  the  great  naturalift  fo  ready  to  bellow  on  Englifhmeii 
mote  penetration  than  he  will  allow  to  the  Laplanders  ?  and  why 
will  he  undertake  to  decide  this  queflion  by  a  iingle  glance  of  the 
eye  ?  But  let  him  be  his  own  confutor. 

**  We  ought  not,"  fays  he,  **  to  form  a  judgment  of  either 
**  the  good  or  bad  difpofition  of  any  one  from  the  features  of  his 
*'  face,  for  thefe  features  have  not  any  affinity  to  the  nature  of 
*<  the  foul,  nor  any  analogy  whereon  to  reft  either  reafonable  or 

poffible  conje6lures.  It  is  clearly  evident,''^  fays  he,  in  a  line 
ftrain  of  reafoning  !  "  that  the  pretended  difcoveries  in  Phyfiog- 
*'  nomy  cannot  reach  farther  than  'dguefs  at  the  m.ovements  of  the 
■  *«  mind  by  thofe  of  the  eyes,  face,  and  body ;  that  the  form  of 
**  the  nofe,  mouthy  and  other  features,  has  as  much  connexion 
**  with  the  form  of  the  foul,  or  the  difpofition  of  the  perfon,  as 
**  the  length  or  thichnefs  of  the  limhs  has  with  thought  J' 

Notwithftanding  the  high  authority  from  whence  this  alTertion 
is  made  known,  I  fliall  not  hefitate  to  fay,  that  the  length  and 

thicknefs 


lavater's    physiognomy. 


tliickncfa  of  tlie  Limbs  have  undoubtedly  fo7?ie  connexion  with 
Thought.  Are  there  not  maiTes  of  bones,  and  redundance  of 
flefh,  wholly  incompatible  with  much  vivacity  of  fplrit  ?  And 
are  there  not  certain  dlmenfions  and  forms  of  limbs  which  dlftlnct-- 
ly  announce,  independently  of  action,  great  delicacy  of  judgment, 
and  great  facility  of  conception  ? 

**  Will  a  man  whofe  nofe  is  handfomely  formed  have  more  wit 
'*  en  that  account  ?  or  will  he  be  lefs  wife  having  fmall  eyes  and 
*'  a  great  mouth  ?  It  mnjl  be  acknoiuledged,  then^  that  all  which 
**  Phyfiognomlfts  have  advanced,  is  wholly  void  of  truth,  and  that 
*'  the  inferences  they  draw  from  their  pretended  metopofcopical 
**  obfervatlons,  are  laughably  chimerical." 

It  Is  rather  extraordlnar)'-,  that  Mr.  de  Bufton  fhould  fo  confi- 
dently aiTure  himfelf  that  all  his  objedtions  againfl  the  fclence 
muji  he  achnotvledged I  Can  a  conclufion,  drawn  without  any  re- 
gard to  pre  mafes,  be  received  as  proof?  He  gives  us  a  decifwn 
which  he  has  pronounced  without  pofTeffing  fufBcient  knowledge 
of  the  cavfe  :  for  Is  it  poffible  to  write  fo  decidedly  on  a  fubjeCt, 
which  a  man  has  not  carefully  and  minutely  examined  !  Is  it  con- 
Hftent  to  connect  things  fo  diftant  as  Metopofcopy  and  Phyhog- 
nomy,  two  diffimilar  fciences,  and  then  to  rejedt  them  both  as 
having  no  foundation  ? 

Becaufe  It  favours— among  fome  perfons— »of  Infanity  to  endea- 
vour to  foretel  difeafes  and  marriages,  friendlhip  and  hatred,  and 
the  general  events  of  futurity,  from  the  planetary  lineaments  of 
the  forehead  ;  mull  he,  too,  be  infane  who  helitates  not  to  fay, 
that  one  forehead  announces  more  capacity  than  another;  that,  for 
inftance,  the  forehead  of  the  Apollo  Indicates  more  uM'fdom,  re- 
flexion, fplrit,  energy,  and  fentiment,  than  the  flat  nofe  of  a 
Black  ? 

It  would  alone  be  fufilclent  to  demonflrate  the  error  of  Mr. 
de  Buffon,  by  ]nfpe6Hng  a  feries  of  foreheads,  eyes,  nofes,  and 
Siouths  ;  indeed,  nothing  could  be  more  eafy  than  to  confute  hlia 

Q  z  b 


'i6  lavater's  physiognomy. 

by  his  own  writings,  b}''  what  he  fays  on  the  difference  of  anlmai 
phyfionomiea  and  on  national  faces. 

I  muft  own, that ,^r/7z^r/)',  it  was  common  to  confound  phyfiog- 
nomy  with  metop6fcopy  ;  and  almoft  all  the  ancient  authors  who 
have  written  on  this  fubjeft,  were  alfo  chiromancers.  Though 
their  authority  might  miflead  the  Illiterate,  what  excufe,  what 
apology  is  there  for  fo  great  a  man  as  Buffon,  who  has  amalgamat- 
ed two  things  fo  widely  dliiereht,  who  has  comprehended  in  one 
profcrlption,  truth  and  falfhood,  as  conjuring  pretenfions,  and  a 
fclence,  the  truth  of  which  every  rational  being  can  attefb  ! 

'  Who  would  give  himfelf  the  trouble,  even  fo  much  as  to  quote, 
to  read,  or  to  name,  the  perfon  who  affected  to  believe  that  he 
could  trace  in  the  mouth  or  the  eyes  of  a  Bafchkir,  or  a  native  of 
the  Terra  del  Fuego,  the  traits  of  a  luminous  mind  ?  On  the  pro- 
mife  of  the  phyfionomies  of  thefe  favages,  who  could  hope  to  fee 
a  fmgle  fentence  written  with  that  elegance  fo  much  admired 
throughout  all  the  numerous  volumes  of  Mr.  de  Buffon  ?  That 
great  Author  himfelf  would  be  fhocked  at  the  vile  comparifon, 
at  the  ridlcidous  idea  :  and  yet  he  fo  far  loft  his  dignity  of 
thought,  as  to  propofe  the  queftion — ^"  Whether  a  man  will  be 
lefs  wife  becaufc  he  has  a  wide  mouth  ?" 

The  only  effedlual  mode  of  obtaining  real  truth,  is  to  apply  a 
general  maxim  to  particular  cafes  :  I  therefore  wifh  to  know,  To 
is?hat  could  the  application  of  our  Author's  propofitlons  lead  ? 


ADDITION. 

Though  the  immortal  writings  of  Buffon 'prefent  us,  in 
many  otber  refpedls,  with  truths  clearly  perceptible.  Ideas  truly 
Tubllme,  and  beauties  inimitable  ;  yet  eyery  page  of  my  Lectures 
contains  a  refutation  of  thofe  palfages  which  I  have  quoted  from 
his  works.  But  his  having  fupported  an  opinion  which  numerous 
experiments  have  proved  to  be  erroneous,  fliall  not  Influence  me  in 
Mat  high  cfteem  which  I  -muft  always  have  for  him.     I  muft  yet, 

however. 


Page  -z? 


Volin. 


219 


■ITa'V  AT  E  R  '  S    ?  H  Y  S  I  0  G  N  0  M  V,'  ^  JS 

ibowever,  beg  leave  to  oppofe  fome  random  e^ramples,  which, 
without  much  trouble,  I  could  increafe  to  an  almoft  incredible 
number, 

Abraham  von  der  Hulst-— ^k</A  Man  sage,  profound, 
AND  CLBAR-siGHTED.— 6"^^  the  oppofite  Plate. 

The  face  of  Abraham  von  der  Hulfl  has  nothing  to  diftinguini 
it  in  a  particular  manner  ;  the  expreffion  of  its  features  is  not 
flrikingly  marked,  and  it  is  much  lefs  charafterittic  in  general 
than  every  one  of  the  three  heads  which  follow. 

No  connoifleur,  however  moderate  his  abilities,  will  afilrm  that 
this  is  the  phyiionomy  of  an  ordiugry  man  ;  the  forehead, 
although  little  of  it  can  be  fcen,  is  above  mediocrity  :  the  eyes 
are  jtiot  inferior  j  and  the  nofe  is  entitled  to  the  fame  rank, 
although  it  does  not  indicate  llrong  fenfe,  and  poiTefTes  nothing 
fignificant  or  ftiiking. 

A  common  phyfionopiifl  cannot  fail  to  difcover  in  this 
portrait,  cl>ara(5lers  of  remarkable  activity  and  energ}''  :  he  will 
draw  his  conclulions  from  .tlie  contour  yvhich  reaches  from  the 
forehead  down  to  the  chin,  from  the  hair,  and,  particularly,  from 
the  fpace  between  the  eye-brows.  The  mouth,  indeed,  deferves 
little  notice  ;  for  its  expreflion  is  too  vague,  and  the  drawing 
H?ery  deficient. 

Thefaceof  the  man,  sage,  profound,  and  clear-sighted, 
IS  infinitely  more  charafterillic  than  the  one  of  which  I  have  ju{fc 
been  fpeaking.  It  announces  a  turn  of  mind  widely  different,  in 
•fpite  of  its  great  calmnefs,  and  unanimated  features. 

In  the  eye-lids,  the  nofe,  the  mouth,  and  in  the  exterior  contour 
of  the  head,  a  man  fuch  as  he  is  entitled  in  the  preceding  para- 
graph may  be  clcarlyperceivtd. 

Is  this  man  of  middling  capacity,  fuperficial  ;  or  inconfiderate  I 
Could  the  pei^etrating  eye  of  BufFon — or  iaoecd  any  (Xlicr  eye — 

C  3  lead 


2^:  L  A  V  A  T  E  r's    P  H  Y  S  I  O  G  N  O  M  Y. 

lead  to  the  fufpiclon,  after  tliefe  fimple  contours,  after  thefe 
lineam'^!  tSj  after  the  form  of  the  whole,  and  of  every  feparate 
J^art  ?  No,  impoflible  ! 


M*^  I,  Portrait  of  Loudovicus   deDieu;and,  n^  2,  of 

Robert  Junius. 

The  form  and  bony  fubflance  of  thcfe  two  oppofite  faceso 
prefent  the  moll  obvious  and  ftriking  differences  ;  and  they  will 
ferve  as  a  farther  tellimony  of  the  pofitive  fignification  of  every 
feature  of  the  phyfionomy,  of  every  form  of  head,  of  the  contour 
of  every  part,  even  feparately  cbnildered. 

It  is  impoflible  for  any  perfon  to  imagine  that  two  Faces,  fo" 
difihnilarly  modeikd,    can    have    any    fimiiitude    in  refped  of 
character?  In  No.  i,  all  the  figures,  and  almoftthe  contour  of  the 
nofe  alone,  I  might  fay,  indicated  a  mind  more  firm  and  more  pe- 
netrating than  the  head  of  No.  2. 

'  This  laft,  indeed,  is  not  without  fome  fhare  of  penetration  ; 
but  the  fimple  contour  of  the  eye-lids  difcovers,  at  the  fame 
moment,  more  fire,  and  lefs  reflexion  :  every  thing  has  the 
imprefs  of  an  Impatient  activity,  eagerly  preffmg  to  purfue 
bufinefs,  carrylrg  it  on  with  an  im.petuofity,  and  precipitating  It 
to  an  iffue,  without  fubmitting  to  time  for  conducing  it  to 
maturity. 

Compare  the  two  nofeSf  and  that  will  be  fufficient :  after  that 
is  done,  neither  the  immortal  Buffon,  nor  any  common  mortal, 
v^lll  afiign  toRoBERTUs  Junius  that  prudence,  and  that  firmnefs 
of  mind  which  fo  confpicuouily  marks  the  phyfionomy  of  Ludo- 
^Icus  de  Dieu, 


LECTURE 


tamsBomamif^aBamm 


LECTURE     III, 


IV.    DETACHED    OBSERVATIONS,    FROM     A      QERMAN    MEMOIR  ; 
WITH    REMARKS    by    THE    AUTHOR. 

*'  TRUE  genius  gives  birth  to  warmth  and  fenfibility  of 
<*  lernperament."  Invert  this  proportion,  and  it  would  equally 
hold  good.  "  It  agrees  not  with  a  phlegmatic  or  a  cold  difpofi- 
*«  tion  ;  for  all  its  propenfities,  and  its  movements,  are  fwift, 
**  and  violent,  hurried  to  the  extreme." 

This  is  by  no  means  a  general  rule  ;  for  the  phlegmatic  is  as 
necelfary  to  genius  as  the  choleric  temperament :  nor  does  one  of 
thefe  temperaments  of  itfelf  conltitute  genius  j  the  union  of  both 
is  elTential  to  compofe  it* 

It  is  the  concourfe  of  fire  and  v/ater  that  determines  the  irrlti' 
lllUy  of  the  nerves,  on  v/hich  every  thing  refts..  It  not  unfrequent- 
ly  occurs,  that  the  moll  ardent  perfons  are  wholly  without  ienfibi- 
iity  and  genius,  and  nothing  will  be  hazarded  by  affirming,  of 
a  man  always  on  the  point  of  boiling  over-^-That  he  will  never  be 
fiifceptibk  of  \h^  true  enthunafm  of  genius.    * 

C  4 


*  3 ®  L  A  Y  A  T  E  R  '  S    P  H  y  S  1 0  G  N  O  M  y, 

Ahjolute  phlegm  is  certainly  not  more  conducive  to  it  :  but  yet 
experience  afcertains  that  this  fame  phlegm  which  fecures  us  from 
numberkfs  things  by  which  another  is  afFected,  does  not  hinder 
our  fometimes  attaching  ourfelves,  in  a  very  feeling  manner,  to  a 
pat'ficidar  Gbject^  which  has  not  met  the  general  attention. 

Impelled  towards  this  fide,  the  molt  phlegmatic  of  human 
beings  feels  the  irapulfe  of  genips,  and  is,  to  a  certain  degree, 
under  the  influence  of  infpiration.  I  am  perfonally  intimate  with 
men  who  are  always  fertile  in  new  and  original  ideas,  and  yet  ex- 
celiively  cold  in  their  temperament.  To  refufe  them  genius, 
therefore,  would  be  unjull ;  and  it  would  alfo  be  equally  abfurd, 
to  coniider  genius  as  the  concomitant  of  a  lively  and  ardent  cha- 
racter. 

Of  itfelf,  coldtiefs  is  no  more  inconliftent  with  genius,  than 
nvarmth  is  the  infalhble  indication  of  it.  The  junction  of  thefe 
two  extremes  is  not  competent  of  itfelf,  perhaps,  to  oonftitute  ge? 
nius  :  this  divine  fpark  is  probably  ftruck  from  the  collifion  of 
the  Four  Temperaments,  a6ling  upon  and  irritating  each  other 
^■eciprocally. 

^      ^      ^ 

*'  The  joys  and  jniferies  of  men  in  low  lituations,  do  not  re:fem'3 
•'*  bie  the  pleafures  and  the  fufferings  of  men  of  genius.  The 
**  latter  feel  "Vvith  a  nice-ty  of  which  the  others  have  no  concep- 
«*tion.'* 

'  Things  within  the  limits  of  genius  cannot  be  conceived  ;  the 
rffeSt  of  it  is  evidently  and  palpably  before  our  eyes ;  it  is  tlie 
f^iv/^  which  remains  concealed,  in  fpite  of  every  endeav9tir'tQ  trace 
it.     Neither  Genius  nor  Religion  can  be  taught*  ;  every  thing 

*  I  do  not  fpeak  of  theology,  alone,  bi^t  of  the  Immediate  fentiment  of 
^^ivine  truth  ;  not  of  an  article  of  creed  gotten  by  memory  5  but  i  Ipeak  of 
thitjubilmff  faich^vYhl(^  conveys  to  us  the  pofitive  alTurance  of  a.  future  esi|l- 

that 


lavater's   physiognomy.^  gl' 

that  iS  of  a  divine  nature  muH:  he. felt  :  neither  by  mental  efforts, 
nor  by  demonltration,  can  we  acquire  faith  :  the  properties  and 
the  effenceof  genius  is  juft  aslittleUkely  to  be  conceived  or  difcuflVd. 
To  difcufs  its  productions,  to  aim  at  an -explanation  and  a  proof 
of  what  marks  them,  is  to  attempt  a  demonllration  of  that  -which 
is.  By  a  cold  analyfis  you  cannot  render  the  beauties  of  a  phyfi- 
onomy  perceptible  to  him  who  had  not  before  felt  them.  Certain* 
ly,  he  is  not  a  man  of  genius  who  declares  himfelf  the  champion  of 
genius,  / 

Our  modern  critics  have  not  been  able  to  prefcribe  a  fingle  one 
of  the  itrokes  of  genius  which  abound  in  Shakespear  and 
Milton,  notwithllanding  all  their  precepts,  rules,  and  captious 

criticifms. 

The  man  without  genius  will  never  acquire  tlie  feelings  of  him 
who  is  in  polTeffion  of  it  ;  a  human  being,  born  totally  blind, 
might  as  eafily  form  a  true  conceptlan  of  light. 

That  which  marks  the  phylionomy  q£  a  man  of  genius,  which 
conilitutes  the  originality  of  it,  Is  cfLeii  a  certain  undefcribable 
lomewhat,  neither  to  be  defined  nor  explained,  attracting  or 
repelling  us.  To  feel  it,  to  receive  its  Impreffions,  our  organs 
mud  be  cepabh  of  being  affeded  by  it  ;  and  hence  it  always  eludes 
the  pencil  of  the  ableil  artiils, 

*'  A  fanguine  and  fparkling  temperament  is  favourable  to  gc-» 
**  nius,  it  gives  to  the  character  vivacity  and  fprightlinefs.  But 
**  though  a  lively  and  gay  humour  be  not  Incompatible  with 
"  genius,  I  think,  notwiilanding,  that  a  gentle  and  fublime  melan- 
^'  choly  is  one  of  the  mod  dedru6live  and  infallible  marks  by 
^*  which  It  makes  itfelf  known.  In  reality  this  difpofition  is  Its 
?*  infeparable  companion.'*  Call  it  the  mother  of  geaius  without 
befitation.  "  It  gives  to  the  radical  character  a  tint.'of  gravity 
*?  and  recolkction  which  predominates  over  and  redra^ns  the  n^- 
^Hural  g^ivty, 

?-.xTRAC;r 


3^ 


I.AVAT£S.'s      PHTSlOGNOMf, 


*    *    * 


V.     EXTRACTS    FROM    NICOLAI. 


I. 


*'  Irrec^ularity  and  vicloufnefs  in  a  form  may  refiilt  equally 
^*  from  external  and  Internal  caiiFes ;  regularity  only  proceeds 
"  from  a  crue  agreement  betv/ec:)  thecauks  which  operate. both 
*'  inwardly  and  outwardly,  fience  is  it  that  the  phyjionomy 
"  difplavs    the  s:o^d    rather   than   the   had  fuk   of    the   moral 

L  J  O  ■  'J 


6i 


Tbofe  moments,  however,  ought   to  be  exceptdU,  when  we 
are  impelled  by  evil  paiTions. 


11^ 


"  The  end  of  the  Phyfionomifl  is  not  to  guefs  merely  at  the 
'*^'  individual's  character;  but  his  aim  is  to  acquire  a  general 
''  l:no-.vledo-e  of  characters." 


't>^ 


This  is  faying,  that  he  applies  himfelf  to  the  inveftigation  of 
s'eneral  fi^-ns  for  every  kind  of  faculty  and  fenfation  ;  but  his 
duty,  aftenvardsj  is  to  place  to  the  individual  tbofe  general  Hgns, 
without  wliich  thefe  would  be  of  no  ufe  to  us  ;  the  greater  part 
of  our  relative  fituations  putting  us  in  the  cafe  of  treating  from 
particular  to  particular. 


III. 

"  From  year  to  year,  were  you  to  draw  the  portrait  of  one 
*'  and  the  fame  perfon  whowas  well  known,  you  would  have  it 
**  in  your  power  to  make  comparifons  which  would  afford  great 
<*  aid  to  Phyaognomy.'* 

It 


lavater's    physiognomy.  32 

It  would  be  ftill  requifite  to  confine  yourfelf  to  filhouettes,  or 
figures  in  plafter,  for  it  would  be  difticult  to  meet  with  a  de- 
figner  capable,  as  Obferver  and  PhyGonomift,  to  catch  and  after- 
wards to  convey  all  the  different  fhades  of  thefe  changes. 


IV. 

**  In  his  refearches,  the  Phyfionomid  will  remember  to  enquire, 
**  above  all,  How  far  the  man  he  is  ftudying  is  capable  of  the 
*'  impreffion  of  the  fenfes  ?  In  what  manner  he  contemplates  and 
**  obferves  the  world  ?  what  are  the  amount  of  his  faculties,  and 
*'  the  ufe  to  v/hich  he  is  able  to  appropriate  them." 


V. 

**  That  vivacity  of  imagination,  added  to  that  rapidity  of  per- 
*'  ception  which  are  indifpenfably  neceffary  to  the  Phyiionomifi:, 
**  of  couvfe  fuppofe  other  intelletSlual  faculties,  which  he  ought 
**  to  ufe  with  great  circumfpeftion,  that  the  refult  of  his  obfer- 
**  vations  may  be  properly  applied.'* 

I  do  not  deny  this  ;  but  he  will  fcarcely  rurt  into  an  error  if  he 
is  cautions  in  explaining  his  fenfations  by  undoubted  figns  ;  if  he 
is  in  a  condition  to  characlerife  every  faculty,  feeling,  and  paffion, 
by  the  general  figns  which  are  adapted  to  them.  Thus  his  ima- 
gination will  aid  him  to  catch  the  refemblances  with  more  pro- 
priety, and  indicate  them  with  more  precifion. 


*  *  # 

VI.      MAXIMUS    DE    TYR. 

I,  From  Ph'dofophtcaJ Difcourfes,  N0»  vi. 

**  Nothing  that  can  be  conceived  approaches  nearer  to  the 
*<  almighty  Divinity,  no  being  has  a  greater  refemblance  to 

«  God, 


54  I,aVATEr's     PH  YSIOGI^OMY. 

*<  God,  than  the  human  Soul.  It  would  be  unworthy  of  reafon  tQ 
**  fuppofe  that  God  fhould  have  purpofed  to  inclofe  an  exiftence 
*'  fo  much  like  his  own  in  a  deformed  body.  He  has,  on  the  eon- 
**  trary,  adapted  this  body  to  be  the  commodious  dwelling  of  an 
**  immortal  fpirit»  He  has  willed  that  it  fhould  move  with  eafe  ; 
<*  it  is  the  only  terrellrlai  being  which  ere^ls  its  head  towards 
*'  heaven  ;  the  one  wiiofe  ilature  is  the  mod  majellic,  the  beft 
**.  proportioned,  the  rrjoft  beautiful.  Nothing  exceflive  \s  found 
*.*  in  liis  bulk.;  nothing  alarming  in  his  natural  force.  Under  an 
*f  unwieldy  load  he  never  fmks:  immoderate  levity  never  over- 
<•'  turns  his  equilibrium.  He  refills  not  the  touch  by  unyelding 
"  hardnefs ;  his  coldnefs  impels  him  not  to  crawl  on  the  ground  ; 
«*  his  warmth  is  incapable  of  exalting  him  into  the  air  ;  the  loofe 
<*  texture  of  his  parts  obliges  him  not  to  fwim  ;  never  is  fo  he  ra- 
**  venous  as  to  fate  his  appetite  on  raw  fiefh,  nor  never  fo  feeble  as 
^'  to  be  driven  for  exiilence  to  the  herbs  of  the  field:  iji  facl, 
^•^  he  is  properly  conllituted  for  all  the  various  fundtipns  which 
*^  ,he  ought  to  exercife. 

**  He  is  amiable  to  the  good.,  formidable  to  the  wicked  ;  he  is 
*'  Hiewn  to  walk  by  Nature,  to  fly  by  Genius,  and  to  fwim  by 
'^  Art. 

•"  The  earth  he  cultivates,  and  is  recorapenfed  and  nouriflied 
^*  by  the  fruit  of  it,  which  is  the  produce  of  his  labour. 

<*  His  colour  is  not  uiipleafing ;  his  limbs  not  unfolid  j  his 
**  countenance  not  ungraceful ;  his  beard  not  unbecoming. 

«*  Under  fuch  a  form  of  body,  the  Greeks  reprefented  ami 
**  worfhipped  their  gods. 

Would  to  God  that  I  poffeired  the  talent  of  eloquence — tiiat 

I  could  command  an  afcendancy  over  the  minds  of  my  readers— p- 

to  transfufe  into  them  the  fupreme  delight  which  I  experience  in 

I  -Qontemplatin^  the  fearful,  the  wonderful^  iirutlure  of  thebuma^ 

^  Q  that 


IAVATEr's    PH  Y  SI  OG  NOMY.  35 

O,  tliat  I  was  not  deftltute  of  tlie  power  of  coiIefl:lng  expref- 
ilons  the  moft  energetic,  from  ail  the  languages  of  the  earth,  to 
fix  the  attention  of  men  on  their  fellow  creatures,  ajid  thus  bring 
them  back  to  themfslves  I 

Were  I  impelled  by  lefs  powerful  motiyss-— did  I  not  furnifh 
lomething  towards  the  completion  of  this  great  defigu  ;  I  (hould 
advance  the  foremoll  to  throw  contempt  on  my  own  work  ; 
I  (hould  confider  myfelf  not  worthy  of  pardon,  for  having  dared 
to  undertake  fo  painful  a  tafk.  There  never  will  be  an  author  by 
"yocation,  if  mine  is  not  decided. 

The  wifdom  and  the  goodnefs  of  the  Creator,  Is  retraced  to 
me  In  the  flighteft  trait,  the  leafl  infledion  of  the  face.  I  am 
plunged  Into  a  delicious  reverie  by  every  new  meditation  ;  and 
when  I  awake,  the  fehcity  of  being  a  man^  is  the  firft  congratula- 
tion which  rifes  in  my  mind. 

I  always  acknowledge  the  t)mnipotent  hand  of  God,  on 
obfcrving  the  fmallefl  contour  of  the  human  body,  much  more  the 
■whole ;  on  invelligating  the  minuteil  part,  much  more  the 
complete  ftru6ture  of  the  fabric.  Wrapped  up  in  this  ftudy,  my 
heart  catches  fire,  and  I  am  no  longer  in  a  condition  to  dive  to 
the  bottom  of  thefe  divine  revelations  with  that  calmnefs  which 
the  fubje6l  demands  ;  I  am  overcome  by  a  kind  of  religious  hor- 
ror, and  my  homage  feems  to  be  neither  fufHciently  pure,  nor  iuf- 
ficiently  refpedlfui  :  I  endeavour  in  vain  to  exprefs  my  admira- 
tion ;  words  are  wanting,  and  even  figns. 

Almighty  and  incomprehenfible  Jehovah  \  who  haft  fhewn 
thyfelf  in  thy  works,  what  then  is  this  veil  which  blinds  our  eyes, 
and  which  prevents  our  obferving  wbat  is  fo  very  clearly  before 
us  ?  When  will  the  vifible  difcover  to  us  the  ^in\afible  }  whea 
fhall  we  find  our  fellow-men  In  ourfelves,  and  ourfelves  In  oui* 
fellow-men  ?  How  is  it  poffible  not  to  trace  and  to  acknowledge 
0od  in  what  we  are,  and  in  every  thing  that  furrounds  us. 

**  Imagla^ 


2^  LAVATEr's    PH?SI0GNOMr. 

"  Imagine  to  yourfelves  a  tranfparent  brook  which  has  over- 
**  flowed  the  plain  ;  the  flowers  which  enamel  it  are  hid  under  the 
"waters,  but  penetrate  the  furface.---This  is  the  emblem  of  an 
<*  exalted  foul,  placed  in  a  beautiful  body  ;  you  obferve  it  fliining 
*«  through  the  cover  which  enfolds  it,  outwardly  it  difplays  itfeif, 
**  and'diff"ufes  its  luilre. 

**  A  young,  well-conformed  body,  is  as  a  tree  in  bloflbm,  fliort- 
'  "  ly  expefted  to  yield  the  mofl  delicious  fruit.  The  early  beau- 
**  ties  of  the  perfon  are  the  harbingers  of  a  foul,  adorned  with 
"  virtues,  which  are  haftening  to  fliine  in  all  their  fplendor — jufl 
*'  as  the  glowing  dawn  precedes  the  rifmg  of  the  fun,  and 
**  promifes  a  fine  day." 


*  *  * 

VII.     VrOM    a    GERMAN    MANUSCRIPT. 

"  Between  the  face  of  man  and  wom.an,  there  is  as  much 
**  affinity  as  there  is  between  manhood  and  youth. 

"  By  experience  we  are  certain,  that  the  harflinefs  or  delicacy 
«*  of  outlines  is  in  proportion  to  the  vivacity  or  gentlenefs  of  the 
**  charafter. 

"  This  is  a  new  proof  that  nature  has  invefted  her  creatures 
««  with  forms  correfponding  to  their  complexion. 

"It  is  impoflible  that  thefe  external  figns  fliould  efcape  a  mind 
«-«  fufceptible  of  feeling  :  we  fee  children,  accordingly,  manifefl:  a 
"decided  averfion  for  a 'perfon  that  is  deceitful,  vindidive, 
"  treacherous ;  while  they  cleave  eagerly  to  one  that  is  afl'able  and 
<«  gentle,  even  without  knowing  any  thing  of  him. 

"  The  reflexions  that  refult  from  this  fubje6t,  prefent  three 
«  different,  caufes— Cglour,  Lineament,  and  Mimicr}^. 

<*  Generally 


L  A  V  A  T  E  R  S    P  K  Y  S  I  O  G  N  0  H  y . 


37 


it 


Gcneralrf  fpeaking,  White  cliarms  the  eye  ;  gloomy  a.nd 
unpleafant  ideas  are  excited  by  Bhick  :  this  difFevcnce  of  itn- 
**  prelFion  proceeds  from  the  natural  averfion  we  have  to  darkncfs 
**  and  from  a  joyous  fenfation  which  is  infiifed  into  lis  by  lif^ht, 
"  and  every  thing  that  has  a  tendency  towards  it.  For  this  the 
**  animals  have  a  predilection  ;  they  are  attradled  by  light  and 
"fire.  • 

**  Light  procures  for  us  an  exaft  knov/Iedge  of  obje6i:s  ;  it  af- 
"  fords  nourifhment  to  the  mind  ;  which  is  ever  intent  on  nevr 
*'  objects  and  new  difcoveries  ;  we  are  enabled,  by  it,  to  ferve  our 
*'  neceilities,  and  to  efcape  from  furrounding  and  immiiieat 
*^  dangers. 

**  There  is  then  a  physionomy  of  colours  ;  compofed, 
**  on  the  one  part,  of  plealing,  on  the  other  of  offenfive." 

The  reafon  why  fome  are  particularly  pleafijig,  and  others 
equally  ofFen five,  is  becaufe  every  colour  is  the  effedl  of  a  caufe 
which  has  fome  relation  to  us,  which  is  confillent  or  repugnant  to 
our  chara6ler. 

Colours  produce  relations  between  the  object  from  which  they 
proceed  and  the  fubjeft  which  reflects  them:  they  are  thus  not 
only  individually  characteriftic,  but  they  become  ilill  more  fo 
from  the  agreeable  or  difagreeable  imprellion  which  they  occafioa, 

A.  new  field  of  fpeculation  is  thus  opening  to  us  ;  a  new  ray 
of  truth,  clear  as  the  meridian  fun-beam,  declares  that — 

ALL    IS   PHYSIONOMY— Every    thing   has   a  reference   t© 

PHYSIONOMY. 

*'  There  is  a  fignincation  In  every  pari  of  toe  body  :  in  the  com- 
"  bined  whole,  therefore,  is  that  aftoniihing  exprefiion  which  en- 
*'  bles  us  to  form  a  prompt  and  unerring  judgment  of  every 
**  object.     Kence  it  is,   to  produce  only  the  moll  flrikiag  in- 

«  'ilance^  ; 


3S  ^avater's  physiognomy. 

"  ftailces  ;  Kence  it  is,  that,  at  fird  fight,  no  one  will  fcruple  to 
'^  pronounce  the  elephant  a  very  fagacious  animal,  and  the  fiflv 
**   very  lluj^id  one. 

**  But  to  go  fomewhat  more  into  detail.  As  far  as  the  root  of 
*'  the  nofe,  the  upper  part  of  the  face  is  the  feat  of  thought,  the 
'*  fpot  where  projefts  and  determinations  are  formed.  To  dif- 
*'  clofe  them  is  the  duty  of  the  under  part  of  the  face,  , 

*'  A  remarkal:)Iy  prominent  nofe,  and  an  advancing  mouth,  in- 
*'*  dicate  a  great  chatterer,  a  prefumptuous  man,  who  is  heedlefs, 
"  rafli  impudent,  and  knavifh.  In  general,  thefe  traits  indicate  all 
**  the  faults  which  form  boldnefs  in  cnterprize,  and  alacrity  of 
^^  execution.'* 

This  is  written  in  the  talle  of  the  ancient  phyflonomifls  ;  the 
viifi:ifion  is  too  vague  and  too  keen. 

**  The  expreflion  of  irony  and  difdain  is  contained  in  the  nofe  ; 
^*  the  figH   of  effrontery   and   not   unfrequently  of    menace,  is 
**  mai-ked  by  an  upper  lip  turned  upwards.     A  vain-glorious  and 
**  ftupid  being  is  indicated  when  the  under-lip  projedls. 

•*  Still  more  exprellive  do  thefe  figns  become,  by  the  manner  of 
^*  bearing  the  head,jwhether  it  be  raiftd  aloft  with  a  haughty  air, 
**  or  whether  it  conveys  infolent  looks  in  every  direftion,  Dif- 
^*  dain  is  marked  by  the  former  of  thefe  attitudes,  in  which  the 
*>  nofe  efficacioufly  concurs.  The  other  geilure  is  the  efFence  of 
**  audacity,  and  at  the  fame  time  decides  the  play  of  the  under- 
"  lip. 

**  When  the  under  part  of  the  face  recedes,  on  the  other  hand, 
*^  it  indicates  a  Eian  difcreet,  modefl:,  grave,  referved  ;  his  fawlts, 
*ifallhood  and  obllnacy." 

The  author,  here,  is  too  pofitive  ;  for  a  prominent  chm  oftener 
promlfes  cunning,  than  a  chin  that  retreats.  In  the  phyfionomy 
©fan  cnta-prizing  man,  the  latter  Is  feldom  to  be  found. 

"  Gravity 


LATATERS     PHYSIOGNOMY.  39 

*  Gravity  is  announced  by  a  llraight  nofe  ;  its  infle£lions,  a 

*  charader  noble  and  generous*.  An  upper-lip  flattened  upon  the 

*  teeth,  and  which  fliuts  badly,  is  a  mark  of  timidity  ;  an  under- 

*  lip   of  the    fame  form   indicates  a  man   circumfpcdl   in   his 
<  words. 

*  Having  thus  far  treated  of  the  Face,  as  to  its  lengtJj,  let  us  next 

*  take  its  breadth  into  confideration. 


*  It  prefents  two  general  fpecies  in  this  point  of  view.     In  the 

*  former,  the  cheeks  defcribe  two  furfaces  nearly  equal  ;  the  nofe 

*  rifes  in  the  middle  as  an  eminence  ;  the  opening  of  the  mouth 

*  produces  the  effe£l  of  a  cut  extended  in  a  ilraight  line,  and  the 

*  curve  of  the  jaws  is  faintly  marked. 


^  The  breadth  of  the  face,  with  fuch  dimenfions,  is  always  dif- 

*  proportioned  to  its  length  ;  for  which  reafon  it  aifumes  a  heavy, 

*  lumplfh  air,  which,  in  all  refpedls,  fuppofes  a  mindcontradied,  a 

*  charaSler  fundamentally  obftinate  and  inflexible  1 


*  The  ridge  of  the  nofe,  in  chara6ters  of  the  fecond  fpecies,  is 

*  ftrongly  marked  ;  on  both  fides  all  the  parts  form  among  them- 

*  felves  acute  angles  :  the  bone  of  the  cheek  does  not  appear  ;  the 

*  corner  of  the  lips  retire,  and  likewife  the  mouth,  unlefs    it  be 

*  concentrated  in   a  ]  ^  val  aperture  :  laflly,  .the  jaws  terminate 

*  toward  the  chin  :n  a  (harp  point. 

*  A  mind  more  acute,  rnore  crafty,  and  more  aftive,  is  promifed 
<  by  faces  thus  conformed,  than  by  thofe  of  the  preceding  clafs. 

*  Tht.  yictremes  of  a  phyfionomy  of  the  firfh  clafs  would  preient 

*  to  my  eyes  the  pi6lure  of  a  man  filled  with  the  molt  inordinate 
felf-love  :  thofe  of  the  fecond  would  difplay  a  heart  the  moll 

*  upright,  and  at  the  fame  time  the  moft  generous,  impelled  for 
humanity  with  an  ardent  zeal. 

*  This  will  only  hold  good  in  delicate  phyfionamlts. 
Vol.  III.  D  'In 


J^O  LAVATEr's      PH  YSICGNaMV» 

'  In  nature,  I  am  well  perfiiaded,  that  extremes  are  rarely  met 

*  with ;  but,  navig-atlng  in  a  fea  of  which  little  Is  known,  thefe 

*  mud  be  our  guides,  and  ferve  us  as  lights.     The  tranfitions 

*  which  nature  obferves  in  all  her  works,  In  that  cafe  make  them- 

*  felves  more  perceptible,  and  recal  us  to  proper  bounds. 

'  In  purfuing  my  hypothefis  of  proportions,  1  truft  I  am  able  to 

*  apply  It  to  nature  In  its  combination.  A.  fhort  neck,  a  broadback, 

*  and  broad  Tnoulders,  fuppofe  a  broad  face.      Men  of  this  del^ 
'  criptionare  Interefted,  felfiih,  and  poflefs  not  the  moral  feeling, 

*  A  long  neck,  narrow  and  bending  fhoulders,  and  a  {lender 

*  form.,  indicate  a  face  narrow  and  long.      From  perfons  of  this 

*  fort  I  iliould  expeti:  more  integrity  and  dlfintercilednefs  than 
«  from  the  preceding,  and  more  of  the  fecial  virtues  in  gene- 

*  raL 

*  According  to  our  education,  and  to  the  nature  of  the  events 

*  which  occur,  our  features  and  our  charafters   undergo  great 

*  changes.     This  Is  the  reafon  why  phyliognomy  cannot  give  a 

*  juft  account  of  the  origin  of  the  features,  or  plan  their  fignifi- 

*  cation  for  the  future  :  it  Is  after  the  face  Itfelf,  and  Independent- 

*  ly  of  all  unforefeen  alteration,  that  It  ought  to  determine  what 

*  fueh   a   man  Is  capable  of  being.      At  moft,  the   phyflono- 

*  mifl  v/IH  take  upon  himfelf  to  add : 

**  Such  will  be  the  influence  exerclfed  over  him  by  reafon,  felf- 
'*  love,  and  fcnfuality  ;  from  the  InflexIbiHty  of  fuch  a  perfon,  no 
**  change  is  to  be  hoped  ;  while  tlie  foft  and  pliant  temper  of  this 
*'  other  may  impel  to  yield  and  relax." 

*  Thefe  modifications  develope  the  reafon  v/liy  fo  many  perfons 

*  feem  born  for  the  condition  in  Vf'hIch  they  are  placed  ;  even 

*  when  they  have  been  fo  fituated,  by  chance  alone,  againft  their 

*  wlflies. 

*  Thefe  modifications  alfo  account  for  the  Impofing,  ferere,  or 

*  pedantic  air  of  a  Prince,  a  Gentleman,  or  Superintendant  of  a 

houfe 


LAVATE  r's    PH  YSIOGNOMYo  4t 

*  houfe  of  corre6lion  ;  the  dejefbed  and  grovelling  air  of  the  Sub- 

*  jed:,  Domeftic,  and  Slave  ;  the  ibarched  and  afFedled  manners  of 

*  a  Coquette. 

*  The  repeated  impreflions  made  upon  the  human  character  by 

*  circmn/lances,  are  infinitely  more  powerful  than  thofc  implanted 

*  by  nature.* 

This,  however,  will  be  only  in  the  eyes  of  the  obferver  of  ex- 
perience who  devotes  his  attention  rather  to  the  moveable  than  to 
the  folid  parts  of  the  phyfionomy. 

*  Equally  true  it  is,  that  one  may  ealily  diftinguifh  a  man  nafu' 

*  rally  mean  and   contemptible  from  him  who   has  been    reduced 
'  by  misfortune  to  a  fervile  condition  ;  an  Upilart,  raifed  above 

*  his  equals  by  fortune,  from  a  Man  of  Great  Talents   elevated 
.♦  above  the  herd,  by  nature.' 


None   are  naturally  mean  and  contemptible,  but  fome  will  dlf- 
ice  tl 
ilances. 


grace  themfelves  much  fooner  than  others  in  certain  circum 


*  A  man  completely  mean,  will  difcover  himfelf  in  a  ftate  of 

*  flavery,  by  an  open,  wide  mouth,  under-lip  proje6ling,  or  a  nofe 

*  wrinkled  :  in  all  thefe  features  you  will  difcover  a  declared  void. 

*  If  he  hold  an  eminent  ftation,  you  will  trace  the  fame  features  in 

*  him,  but  indicating  arrogance  and  felf-fufScIency. 

*  A  truly  Great  Man  declares  his  fuperiority  by  an  affured  and 

*  open  countenance;  his  chara6ter,  compofed  of  moderation,  will 

*  be  Indicated  in  beautifully  clofed  lips.     Even  reduced  to  fervl- 

*  tude,  In  his  downcaft  eyes  you  will  obferve  the  pangs  which  oc- 

*  cupy  his  foul  ;  to  lllile  unavailing  murmurs,  he  will  fhut  hi» 

*  mouth. 

*  If  thefe  different  caufes  produce  permanent  Impseflions,  extra* 

*  ordinary  emotions  of  foul  likewlfe  ftamp  tranlitoiy  effects  oo 

*  the  phyfionomy.    In  truth,  thefe  are  more  forcibly  marked  thaa 

J)  2  the 


^2  l^AVATER.'^S    PHYSIOGNOMT*  '     ^ 

«  the  features  would  be  in  a  ft  ate  of  reft  ;  but  they  are  not  the 
'  iefs  determined  by  the  primitive  nature   of  thofe  features,   and 

*  you  will  readily  difcover  the  differences  of  moral  charader,  on 

*  comparing  feveral  faces  agitated  by  the  fame  paffion.     For  in- 

*  ftance,  the  anger  of  an  unreafonable  man  will  provoke  nothing 

*  but   laughter  j  and   that   of  a  felf-conceited  perfon  will  burft 

*  out  furioufly.     But  a  generou&  mind,   when  rouzed,  will  ftrivc 

*  only  to  reprefs  his  adverfary,  and  fhame   him  out   of  his  In- 

*  juftice,  and  a   beneficent  heart  will  mingle  a  fentiment  of  af- 

*  Hidlionwith  his  reproaches^  and  endeavour^to  bring  the  aggreffo^ 

*  to  repentance. 

*  Querulous   and  noify  will  be  the  forrow  of  a  vulgar  mind  5 

*  tirefome  aud  difgufting  that  of  a  vain    man.     A  tender  heart 

*  melts  Into  tears,  and  communicates  its  anxiety.     A  man  grave 

*  and  ferious,  (huts  up  all  his  feelings  in  his  own  breaft  ;  but  if 

*  his  face  ihews  a  troubled  mind,  the  mufcles  of  the  cheeks  will 

*  be  drawn  back  tov^ard  the  eyes,  and  the  forehead  will  not  be 

*  v/holly  without  wrinkles. 

*  In  a  ferocious  mind.  Love  Is  blunt,  rough,  and  ardent ;  in 

*  a  felf-complacent  perfon  this  tender  paflion  is  difgufting  ;  and 

*  manifefts  Itfelf  by  a  certain  twinkling  of  the  eyes,  by  an  af- 

*  fedled  firaper,  by  contortions  of  the  mouth,  and  by  dimpling 
'  of  the  cheeks. 

*  An  air  of  languifhment  will  exprefs  the"  tendernefs  of  a  maw 

*  of  excefiive  fenfibility ;  his  humid  eyes  and  contracted  mouthy 

*  will  render  him  a  complete  fuppliant. 

*  In  ftiort,  .the  Man  of  Senfe  will  mix  a  certain   degree  ojT 

*  gravity  even  In  his  amorous  interchanges  ;  on  the  lovely  objefk 
«  of  his  choice,  he  will  fix  a  fteady,  though  not  an  unpleafing 

*  look  ;  he  will  fpeak  that  only  which  he  feels  :  of  this  we  may 

*  be  convinced  by  obfervinghis  open  forehead  and  the  features 
A  ©f  his  face  :  the  fenfations  of  a  folid  mind  do  not  appear  In 

'  -figns  of  vicknGe  5  but  grimaee*  charaderife  thofe  of  a  vulgar 

*  perfonj 


lAyater'S    physiognomy.  ^^ 

*  perfon  ;  tliefe  grimaces,  however,  are  not  adapted  to  the  fchool 
<  of  the  Artift.     The   Phyfionomift  and  the  Moralifl:  will,  yet, 

*  make  a  dexterous  ufe  of  them,  as  a  caution  to  youth  not  to 
"*  indulge  in  vehement  emotion. 

*  We  are  int€refted  and  afFedled,  by  the  fenfationsof  a  Bene- 
■*  volent  Heart,  and  refpetl  is   even  fometimes  infpired  by  them. 

*  The  fenfations  of  the  Wicked   Mind,  are  terrible,  odious,  or 

*  ridiculous.— Emotions,  frequently  repeated,    leave  fuch   deep 

*  impreliions,  that  they  often  refemble  thofe  of  nature,  and  it 

*  may  in  this  cafe  be  firmly  concluded  that  the  heart  is  prepared 

*  to  receive  them. 

*  The  obfervation  juH;  made,  fhews  how  ufefut  it  is  to  render 
•*  the  fpeftacle  of  aifiifled  humanity  familiar  to  the  light  of 
^  young  perfons,    by  taking  them  fometimes  to  the  gloomy, 

*  folemn  room,  of  a  dying  mortaL 

'  Frequent  commerce,  and  intimate  connexion,  between  two 

*  perfons,  afliraiiate    them  fo,  that  their  humours,  as  it  were, 

*  become  fafhioned  in  the  fame  mould,  and  their  phyjionotny  and 

*  tone  of  voice  obtain  an  analogyo     Examples  of  their  fort  are 

*  v/ithout  number. 

*  Almofi:  every  one  has  his  particular  gefture.     Could  you 

*  furprize  a  man  in  his  favourite  attitude,  and  have  time  enough 
^  to  delineate  him  in  that  attitude,  what  further  proof  could  be 
^  needed  of  every  particular  relating  to  his  whole  chara6tcr  ! 

*  Were  it  practicable  to  reprefent  fuccefiively,  and  with  exaft- 

*  nefs,  all  the  movements  in  every  individual,  prccifely  the  fame 

*  thing  v/oirid  occur. 

*  In  a  man  of  vivacity,  thefe  movements  would  Idg  greatly 
^varied,  and  equally  rapid  ;  in  a  cold  and  fedate  temperament, 

*  -they  wo.uld  be  more  uniform  and  auftere. 

D  3  <  Let 


44  lavater's    physiognomy. 

<  Let  us  fiippore  that  a  colle6lion  of  individuals,  drawn  after  an 

*  Ideal  manner,  would  greatly  promote  the  knowledge  of  man, 

*  and  in  confort  become  a  Science   of  Characters  ;  yet  do  I 

*  not  know  that  it  is  the  lefs  certain  that  the  colleftion  of  all  the 

*  changes  of  the  face  of  the  fame  perfon  would,  on  that  account, 

*  prefent  us  with  the   hiftory  of  his  heart.     For  example,  we 

*  fhould  there  fee,  on  one  fide,  to  what  a  degree  the  character  of 

*  a  man  without  cultivation  is  at  once  timid  and  prefumptuous ; 

*  and  on  the  other,  how  far  it  is  poffible  to  form  him  by  the  aid 

*  of  reafon  and  experience. 

'  To  compare  Chrill  inftru6ling  the  people  -  aflcing  of  the 

*  Jews,  luhom  feeh  ye  ? — In  the  garden    of  Gethfemane    in   an 
'  agony — lamenting  over  the  fate  of  Jerufalem— expiring  on  the 

*  crofs — to  compare  thcfe  feveral  great  circumilances  attentively, 

*  what  a  fchool  for  a  young  man  !     The  fame   God-Man   would 

*  be  apparent  in  every  different  fituatlon  ;  the  fame  traits  of  a 

*  miraculcus  power,  of  a  more  than  human  reafon,  of  a  truly 

*  divine  gentlenefs, 

*  How  Interefling    and  Improving  It  would  be  to  compare 

*  King  Belshazzar  in  the  height  of  mirth  and  joUity  at  the 

*  commencement  of  his  feaft,   a  little  afterwards  turni-ng  pale 

*  with  horror  at  the  appearance  of  the  hand-writing  on  the  wal?, 

*  the  fenrence  of  his  fate  !=^-Cesar's  mirth  with  the  pirates  who 

*  had  captured  him — at  the   fight  of  Pompey's  head  diffolving 

*  Into   tears— -finking  under  the   Urokes  of  his  aifafiins,  while 

*  calling  on   Brutus  a  look    expreflive  of   tendernefs ;    Ei  tu 

*  Brute  I 

*  li  feeling  decidedly  exerts  Its  Influence  on  the  organs  of  voice, 

*  muil  thefe  not  be  a  primitive  tone  for  every  ir  dividual,  uniting 

*  all  the  other  tones  of  which  his  voice  is  fufceptible  ?  And  this 

*  primitive  tone  mull  be  that  which  we  ufe  in  our  moments  of 

*  tranquillity,  and  in  our  common  converfation  4  In  a  ftatc  of 
'  reft,  the  face  contains  the  principle  of  all  tlie  traits  whicl^  it 
'  can  adopt. 

<  A  MW" 


LAVATEH'S    PHY  SI  OG  NOMY.  4^ 

*  A  Muficlan  of  ability,  therefore,  Ihould  apply  lilmfelf  to 
■*  coUeft,  clafs,  and  mark  thefe  different  tones  ;  after  which 
«  we  fliould  be  enabled  to  exaftly  indicate  the  natural  found 
^  of  voice  belonging  to  every  face,  excepting  thofe  differences 
■*  w^xich  arife  from  a  vitiated  conformation,    and  from   general 

*  difeafe. 

*  The  ufual  Indications  of  a  wealc  voice  are  tallnefs  of  ftaturc 

*  and  a  flat  cheft.     This  idea,  which  is   mush  eafier  conceived 

*  than  executed,  occurred  to  me  in  refie6ling  upon  the  infinite 
^  variety  with  which  I  hear  the  monofyliables  Yes  and  No  pro- 
•*  nounced  every  day. 

*  The  tone  in  which  thefe  words  are  pronounced  will  a! way* 
^  be  different,  whether  uttered  in  an  affirmative  or  decifive  fenfe, 

*  as  marks  of  joy  or  forrow,  jefl  or  earneil ;  and  every  one, 
■*  among  a  variety  of  perfons  who    may  ufc  ,them  to  exprefs  the 

*  fame  meaning  and  the  fame  feeling,  will  yet  have  his  particular 
-*  pronunciation  correfponding  to  his  charadler.     His  tone  will 

*  be  frank  or  diffident,  folemn  or  gaj,  tender  or  hard,  mild  or 
<  wafpiih,  fafl  or  flow. 

*  All  thefe  fhades  are  very  figniiicant ;  and  they   depi£l  the 

*  flate  of  the  mind  with  the  greatefl:  accuracy*. 

*  Experience  having  clearly  proved,  that  -the  moH  profound 

*  Thicker  has  fometimes  an   air  of  abfeiicc  ;  the  mofl  intrepid 

*  man  an  embarraffed  vifage  ;  and  the  gentleil  an  appearance   of 

*  anger  ;  that  the  calmefl  man  not  unfrequently  indicates  inward 

*  difquictude  ;    is  it  not  pradicable,    therefore,    that    an  Ideal 

*  reprefentation  for  every  emotion  of  the  foul  might  be  eftablifhcd 

*  by  the  aid  of  thefe  accelTory  traits  i 

*  It  would  certainly  be  rendering  a  great  fervice  to  theicience 
-*  of  Phyfionomies  ;  It  would  tend  to  ralfe  It  to  its  utmofl  capa- 
"^  bility  of  perfedlon." 

13  4  LECTURE 


a«BgEgsaBj,-!«KBi ■«  III  i»ii  iMnii  III  II II n  n  ■■ iiimBi mil  II  Miaiimm^Bmm>mMm!as*i.^<sixxmsv:nv(gm 


LECTURE     IV* 


THE    PRECEDING    SUBJECT    CONTINUED* 

VIII.      EXTRACTS    FROM    HuART* 
I. 

*  TKEUE  are  men  of  fenfe  who  feemingly  are  deftitute  of  it  j 

*  and,  on  the  contrary,  there  are  fome  who  feem  to  be  fenfible,  at 

*  the  tln-ic  they  are  veiy  ignorant.     Others,  again,  have  neither 

*  the  reahty  nor  the  appearance  ;  and  fome  are  endowed  with 

*  the  one  and  the  other.* 

This  manner  of  obferving  mufl  be  only  taken  as  relative  ;  it  i« 
always  reqiiifite  toailc  "  To  w^om  does  this  appear  ?"  Appearances 
will  not  miflead  the  phyfionomift  ;  for,  confident  that  every  appear- 
r.nce  is  founded  on  a  reality ^  he  examines  and  fludies  them  with 
attention. 


II. 

«  For  the  talents  of  his  father  the  fon  muH  often  pay.* 


*  ThI? 


lavater's  physiogno miy . 


47 


This  remark  is  certainly  jufl; ;  and  I  have  already  obferved,  in  a 
previous  part  of  this  work,  if  I  am  not  greatly  miftaken,  "  That 
'  an  illuftrious  fon  of  an  illullrious  father,  is  very  rarely  to  be 
^  found/ 


in. 


'  In  an  cxceflive  degree,  premature  reafon  is  the  forerunner  of 
folly.' 


IT. 

*  There  can  be  no  birth  without  conception,* 

Pray,  then,  do  not  exad  from  any  one  a  frmt  of  which  he  has 
not  received  the  germ»  Great  will  be  the  importance  and  the 
ytility  of  the  ofHce  of  phyfiognomy,  if  fhe  becomes  a  Ikilful  mid- 
wife, and  lends  her  affiftance  to  minds  which  have  occafioa  for  it, 
snd  adminifters  her  aid  in  proper  time. 


*  When  the  iigure  of  the  head  is  as  it  ought  to  be,  when  \t 

*  fcems  to  be  modelled  on  the  form  of  a  hollow  bowl,  a  little  flat- 

*  tened  on  both  fides,  and  rifing  into  a  protuberance  toward  the 

*  forehead  and  occiput,  then  it  is  what  it  ought  to  be.   Very  little 

*  canbefaid  in  favour  of  the  underitanding,  whea  the  forehead  is 

*  too  flat,  and  the  occiput  has  an  extenfive  declivity.' 

The  profile  of  the  whole  head  will  be  rather  circular  than  oval, 
even  when  you  have  compreiTed  fuch  a  form  on  the  Udes :  it  is 
therefore  fufficient  to  lay  it, down  as  a  general  rule,  that  the  pro- 
file of  a  well-proportioned  head,  comprehending  in  it  the  pro- 
minence of  the  nofe,  will  always  more  or  lefs  defcribe  the  form  of 
a  circle  j  while  the  nofe  being  abflracted,  will  refcmble  the 
dval. 

The 


^St  LATATER^S    PfiYSIOGNOM?. 

The  author  axTert 3,  *  that  a  forehead  too  flat  fays  but  little  in 
«■  praifc  of  the  underftanding.'  If  he  means  a  grofs  flattening  of 
the  whole  furface  of  the  foiehead,  I  coincide  with  him.  I  have, 
Lowever,  been  acouaintied  with,  perfons  remarkably  judicious, 
xvhofe  foreheads  were  as  llraight  as  a  board,  though  in  the  part 
only  v-'hich  rurmaunts  and  feparates  the  eye-brows.  Effe6Lually 
to  refolve  the  cafe  in  queftion,  revert,  in  particular,  the  pofition 
and  currc  of  he  arch  of  the  forehead* 


VI. 

*  Animals  who  are  iinpoffcfTcd  of  reafon,  have  much  lefs  bram 

*  ""than  man  ;  there  would  not  be  enough  to  fill  the  fcuU  of  a  man 

*  of  the  frnallefi  ilature,  on  reiorting  to  thofe  of  two  oxen  of  the 

*  largeft  fize.    More  or  lefa  of  reafon  is  indicated  by  the  fmall  or 
^  large  ,po*"iiDn  of  brain.* 


vir. 

'  There  is  the  leaft  juice  in  thofe  fruits  which  have  mofl:  rind* 
^  A  very  large  head,  loaded  with  bones  and  flefh,  in  general  con- 
'  tains  very  little  brains.' 

*  The  operations  of  the  foul  are  clogged  by  a  cumberfome  bur- 
^  den  of  bone,  flefh,  and  fat.' 


VIII. 

^  The  head  of  a  judicious  man  is  of  a  delicate  conformation, 
^  and  fufceptible  of  the  ilighteH  imprefilons.' 

This  rauil  not  be  conndered  as  a  rule  without  many  exceptions  ; 
it  could -be  applied,  at  moft,  to  Jpeanafhe  heads  only,  even  fup- 
pofing  it  to  be  adopted  with  particular  reftriciions.  A  more  ro- 
feuil  bony  fyftera  is  required  by  si  mau  of  execution*     Nothing  is 

xnorje 


LAVATER   S    PHYSI  OG  NOMY.  ^^g 

''more  rare  than  a  maii  in  whom  is  centered  great  fenfibHIty  and 
great  refolution.  The  energy  of  fuch  charadlers  do  not  fo  much 
reft  on  the  foftnefs  of  the  flefh  and  hardnefs  of  the  bones,  as  on 
the  delicacy  and  elafticity  of  the  nerves. 


II. 


*  It  is  afferted  by  Galen,  That  a  great  belly  indicates  a  vulgaiy 
*  mind.' 

It  might,  with  equal  truth,  be  added,  that  a  fine  fhape  an« 
nounces  mental  acutenefs.  I  little  value  tliofe  axioms  that  ex- 
pofe  a  man  of  fenfe  to  be  ranked,  by  a  fingle  dafh  of  the  pen,  in 
the  idiotic  clafs.  Moft  certain  it  is,  that  a  great  belly  is  not  a  pofi- 
tive  m.ark  of  wifdoni ;  it  rather  fignifies  a  fenfuahty  always  inju" 
rious  to  the  intelleclual  faculties.  However,  unlefsit  be  explain- 
ed by  more  certain  indications,  I  cannot  purely  and  fimply  fub« 
fcribe  to  the  decihon  of  Galen. 


*  The  fmalleft  heads  are  ftored  with  the  greatell  fliare  of  fenfe, 
*  according  to  Ariflotle.' 


'Ca 


However  high  the  authority  of  this  author,  I  think  he  here 
talks  at  random  :  for  by  one  of  thofe  accidents  which  retard  'or 
hurry  on  growth,  it  often  happens  that  a  fmall  head  may  be 
found  on  a  great  body,  and  a  great  bead  on  a  fmall  body ;  but 
without  a  m.ore  accurate  determination,  is  it  to  be  inferred  that  a 
head,  great  or  fmall,  muit  be  wife  or  dull  on  account  of  its  fizo 
merely  ? 

I  certainly  fhould  not   expeft  extraordinary  wifdom  from   a 
great  head,  the  forehead  a  little  triangular,  or  the  fcuU  overbur- 
dened with  fleih  and  far. — Small  heads,  of  the  fame  fpecies,  par- 
ticularly if  round,  alfo  announce  exceflive  ilupidity,  and  the  bru- 
tality 


50  'LAVATER's    FHYSlOGNOMy. 

tality  of  them  is  the  more  irkfome,  as  they  have,  almoft  without, 
exception,  pretenlions  to  knowledge* 


«  A  fmali  body  with  a  head  fomewhat  too  large,  and  a  great 
^  body,  having  a  head  a  little  under.fize,  is  not  to  be  ridiculed.* 

This  I  will  allow,  provided  the  difproportlon  be  not  muclu 


x\u 


*  Memoiy  and  Imagination  bear  the  fame  re&mblance  to  judg- 
ment which  the  Monkey  has  to  Man,'*^ 


Xlllt 


*  Unlefs  the  fubHance  of  the  brain  correfponds,  hardnefs  or 
^  loftnefs  of  flefli  has  no  influence  on  genius  ;  for  it  is  generally 
^  underftood  that  the  brain  is  frequently  of  a  complexion 
<  wholly  different  from  .every  other  part  of  the  body.  But  it 
^  will  be  a  bad  fign  of  the  judgment  and  the  imagination,  if  tli« 
^  ScPii  and  the  brain  both  accord  in  foftnef&o' 


Xi7« 

<  The  Pliiegm  and  the  Blood  are  tht;  hiimours  which  induce  the 
^  icftnefs  of  the  flefh  :  according  to  Galen,  they  engender  brut* 
^  ifhnefs  and  ftupidlty,  being  of  a  nature  too  watery  :  the  hu- 
^  mours  which  harden  the  fiefh,  on  the  contrary,  are  Bile  and 
^  Melancholy ;  and  they  contain  the  germ  of  reafon  and  of  wlf- 

*  dom:  therefore,  roughnefs  and  hardnefs  of  flefh  are  favourable 
^  figns ;  foftnefs,  on  the  other  hand,,  announces  a  weak  memory^^ 

*  a  narrow  undeiftanding,  and  a  barren  imagination.' 

Let 


lavater's    physiognomy.  51 

Let  not  foftnefs  of  flefli  be  confounded  with  that  happy 
JkxihUlty  which  indicates  underilanding  infinitely  more  thaa 
rough  flefli.  Never  fhall  /  be  prevailed  upon  to  fuffer  a  rough  or 
leathery  flefii  pafs  for  the  leading  feature  of  fenfe  y  nor  would  I 
have  it  be  confidered,  that  a  foft  fiefh  is  indicative  of  ftupidity: 
but  a  difference  mull  be  noted  between  foft  and  /^.v,  or  fpongy^ 
and  rough  and  firm. 

It  is  a  decided  point,  \\i2it fpoiigy  flefh  denotes  ftupidity  more 

commonly  than  fnn.     ^oritm  perdura  cara  eji,    it  tarda  Ingmio 

funt:  quorum  autem  mollis  efl,  ingeniofi.'—^  Perfons  whofe  flefh  is 

*  hard  are  flow  of  underilanding  j  tliofe  are  ingenious  who  have 

*Joft  flefh*.' 

What  a  contradidlion  !  It  would,  however,  appear  lefs  ^o^ 
by  tva-ndailng perdura  hj feathery  and  roughs  ^nd  mollis  by  tender 
and  delicate. 


XT. 

*  It  is  requifiteto  examine  the  hair  of  the  head,  in  order  to 

*  know  whether  or  not  the  conflitution  of  the  brain  correfponds  to 

*  that  of  the  flefh.     It  announces  a  found  judgment,  and  a  hap- 

*  py  imagination,  if  it  be  black,  ftrong,  and  rough.' 

This  is  generalizing  with  a  vengeance  1     At  this  inftant  I  re-^ 
Golle6l  a  man  of  a  weak  underilanding,  whofe  hair  is  exactly  of 
this  defcription.     Rough  and  roughnefs  are  exprcllions  which  ex- 
cite unpleafant  ideas,  and  therefore  cannot  be  taken  in  a  plea- 
fant  fenfe. 

*  Soft  and  white  hair  indicate  at  moft  a  good  memory.* 

This  is  not  faying  enough  ;  for  white  hair  is  the  chara^^eriflie 
of  a  delicate  organization,  which  is  wholly  as  capable  of  receiving 
the  impreJfiQns  of  objedls,  as  of  preferving  ih^ivfigns. 

*  Akjst.  Lib.  III. 


$^  tAVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMr* 


XVt, 

*  To  know  precifely  whether  hair  of  the  firfk  fpecies,  in  fach 

*  a  particular    individual,    indicates   folidity  of    judgment,    or 

*  ftrength  of  imagination,  nothing  more  is  neceflary  than  to  ob- 

*  ferve  his  laugh  :  the  ftate  and  the  degree  of  imagination,  is  bet- 

*  ter  difclofed  by  this  than  any  other  means,' 

I  do  notfcruple  in  going  much  farther;  I  hefitate  not  to  infill 
that  the  Imtgh  is  the  touchftone  of  the  judgment,  of  the  qualities 
of  the  heart,  of  the  energy  of  the  charadler;  it  fignifies,  pretty 
clearly,  love  or  hatred,  pride  or  humility,  and  iincenty  or  falf- 
hood. 

O  that  I  could  engage  defigners,  poffeffcd  of  ability  and  pa- 
tience, to  obferve,  and  to  copy  perfedly,  the  contours  of  the 
laugh  ! 

A  Phyfiognomy  of  Laughter  would  be  a  valuable  elementary- 
book  for  the  knowledge  of  Man.  It  is  \mpoJfible  to  he  a  had  man^ 
MTid  have  an  agreeahls  laugh. 

It  has  been  alferted,  that  our  Saviour  never  laughed  ;  I  fhall 
not  contradict  it — but  of  this  I  am  confident,  that  had  he  never 
fmikdi  he  would  not  have  been  man.  The  fmile  of  Jesus 
Christ,  I  am  confident,  exprelTed  brotherly  love  in  all  its  ge- 
nuine fimpHcity, 

XVII. 

•  Heraglitus  fays,  that  the  mark  of  a  great  mind  Is  a  dry 
<  eye.* 

XVIII. 

*  Perfonswho  are  endued  with- fuperlor  underflsnding,  hardly 

*  Gif^r  write  a  fine  hand.' 


iAVATER's    PHySIOGNOMT.  s;^ 

To  fpcak  more  precifdy,    they  do  not  paint  like   writuig- 
tnafters. 


IX.  Winkelmann's  Reflections  on  the  Works  of  th^ 
Greeks  in  Painting  and  Sculpture. 

The  works  of  this  author  are  a  precious  treafare  to  the  phyil- 
onomill,  with  relation  to  charafteriilic  expreffions,  and  m  other 
relpe6ls.  In  the  higheft,  degree  he  profefTes  propriety  of  terms  ; 
and  probably  there  does  not  exift  a  technical  ftyle  which  better 
unites  iriif/j  with  ^rec'ifion,  loldnejs  with  nature^  and  di^iity  with 
elegance. 


t. 


*  The  forehead  and  the  nofe  defcribe  a  line  ahnoft  ftraight,  in 
'  the  profiles  of  the  gods   and  goddeiTes.     The  heads  of  diilin- 

*  guifhed  females,  preferved  to  us  by  the  Greek  coins,  have  all,  ia 

*  this  particular,  a  referablance,  and   in   reprefentations  of   this 

*  kind,  it  is  fcarcely  probable  that  they  permitted  themfelves  to 

*  follow  an  ideal  form. 

*  This   conformation,    therefore,    it  may  be   fiippofed,   was 

*  altogether  peculiar  to  the  ancient  Greeks,  as  a  fiat  nofe  is  to  the 

*  Calmucks,   and  little  eyes  to  the  Chinefe- 

*  This  conjefture  is  fupported  by  the  large  eyes  which  wc 

*  meet  in  the  ancient  Greek  ftatues  and  raeiJals.* 

It  Is  not  afierted  that  this  conformation  muft  pofitively  have 
been  general  among  the  Greeks  ;  or  rather,  certainly  it  was  not^ 
fmce  an  almoft  Innumerable  number  of  medals  ju-ove  the  con- 
trary. 


54  lavater's  physiognomy^ 

Perhaps  there  was  a  time,  and  poffibly  there  may  have 
been  countries,  where  it  prevailed :  but  even  on  the  fuppofi- 
tioii  that  a  profile  of  this  had  prefented  Itfelf  but  once  to 
the  genius  of  art,  he  would  have  wanted  no  more  in  order  to 
catch  it,  and  iraprefs  it  on  the  mind.  However  it  might  be,  it 
is  not  the  thing  which  properly  intereils  us  at  prefent  ;  we  are 
enquiring  only  into  xh^figntficatrnt  of  this  form.  The  more  it  ap- 
proaches to  the  perpendicular  line,  the  lefs  it  exprefies  of  nvifdom 
and  the  graces  ;  the  more  it  retreats  in  an  oblique  diredlion,  the 
more  it  lofes  its  air  of  d'lgiiity  and  grandeur:  and  in  proportion  as 
the  profile  of  the  nofe  and  of  the  forehead  is  at  the  fame  time 
flraight  and  perpendicular,  that  of  the  upper  part  of  the  head  ap- 
proaohes  likevi^ife  to  a  right  angle,  which  is  the  declared  enemy  of 
wifdom  and  beauty. 

I  difcover,  almoft  every  day,  in  the  ordinary  copies  of  thefe  fa- 
mous lines  of  beauty,  the  cxprefilon  of  a  difguilful  infipidity, 
which  feems  repugnant  to  every  fpecies  of  infpiration.  I  fpeak 
f  only  of  copies  ;  and  it  is  the  cafe,  for  example,  of  the  Sophonifba 
engraved  after  the  admirable  Angelica  KaufFman,  In  that  figure 
the  extenfion  of  the  hair  has  been  neglected,  and  the  copyifl  has 
failed  alfo  in  the  gentle  infiedlions  of  the  lines,  which  appear  per- 
fe6lly  ftraight. 

Thefe  infledlions  are,  in  effeft,  a  matter  of  extreme  difnculty  : 
we  fiiall  refume  the  fubjedl  in  the  treatifc  on  Phyfionomical 
Lines. 


*  It  was  a  Venus  that  difcovered  beauties  to  Bernini,  which  he 
*  would  not  have  expeded  to  find  any  where  but  in  nature,  but 
^  which  he  would  not  have  fought  for  there,  unlefs  the  Venus  had 
pointed  them  out  to  him.* 

In  my  opinion,  all  the  works  of  art  are  the  medium  through 
which  we  commonly  look  at  nature.  The  naturaliit,  the  poet,  the 
artift,  have  only  a  prefentiment  of  her  beauties  ;  their  feeble  imita-^ 

tions 


LA  V  A  TER's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  ^^ 

tions  contain  only  the  firft  rudiments  of  the  word  of  God  ;  but, 
when  aided  by  genius,  we  advance  with  rapidity  in  this  fublime 
lludy  and  foon  are  enabled  to  fay,  nozu  ive  believe^  not  hecanfe  of  iky 
faying,  for  zve  have  heard  him  ourfehes.  I  likewifc  hope  that  thefe 
Ledlures  may  furnifli  fome  aflillance  to  my  readers,  toward  their 
perceiving  vt'onders  in  Nature,  which.,  perhaps,  but  for  me,  might 
have  efcaped  them,  though  they  were,  neverthelefs,  fully  difplayed 
before  their  eyes. 


11!. 

*  The  line  which,  in  nature,  feparates  the  enciigh  from  the  too 
•  7nuchy  is  almoil  imperceptible.' 

It  efcapes  all  the  efforts  and  all  the  inftrument?  of  art  :  and 
yet  it  is  of  the  greatell  importance — hke  every  thing  above  our 
reach. 


*  The  noble  fimplicity  and  calmnefs  cf  a  great  foal  fuggeft  the 

•  idea  of  a  fea,  the  bottom  of  which  always  enjoys  undiilurbed 

*  tranquillity,  however  ftcrmy  the  furface  may  be.' 

This  fublime  calm  expreffes  Itfelf  in  three  different  manners  ; 
that  is  to  fay,  a  face  cannot  produce  this  expreflion,  unlefs  it  unites 
the  three  charadlers  which  X  am  going  to  indicate.  Firft,  there 
tnuft  be  a  proportion  of  all  the  parts,  which  ftrikes  at  the  firft  glance, 
without  our  being  obliged  painfully  to  fearch  for  it ;  this  propor- 
tion is  the  mark  of  '3^  fundamental cahnnejs  and  energy.  Secondly, 
the  contours  of  all  the  parts  muft  neither  be  perpendicular  nor  cir- 
cular ;  they  ought  to  appear  llraight,  and  yet  be  infenfibly  round- 
ed, to  have  theaii"  of  a  curve,  and  yet  approach  to  a  ftraighthne. 
Finally,  there  muft  be  a  perfeft  harmony^  and  a  natural  connexion 
between  all  the  contours  and  all  the  movements. 

Vol,  III.  E  *  A  fbul 


5$  tATATEn's    PHYSIOGNOMY', 


V. 


*  A  foul  as  great  as  Rapliael't;,  in  a  body  as  beautiful  as  Kisj  is 
^  requifite,  in  order  to  be  the  firil:  among  the  moderns  to  feel  and 
*  difcover  the  beauties  and  the  merit  of  the  ancient  works 
*-  of  Art.' 


• 
'^  A    beautiful    face    always    gives    pleafure,     but    it    will 

*  charm  us  filll  more,  if  it  has,  at  the  fame  time,  that  ferious  air 

*  which  announces  refieftion.  This  opinion  appears  to  have  been 
*■  that  alfo  of  the  ancient  Artifts  :  all  the  heads  of  the  Antinous 

*  prefent  this  character  ;  and  it  certainly  is  not  his  forehead  co- 

*  vered  with  ringlets  which  gives  him  a  ferious  air.    Befides,  what 

*  pleafed  at  the  firil  moment,  frequently  ceafes  to  pleafe  after- 

*  ward  :  what  a  rapid  glance  of  the  eye  feized  in  hafte,  difappears 

*  before  the  attentive  look  of  the  obferver  :  after  that  there  is  an 

*  end  of  illufion.     No  charms  are  lafting  but  fuch  as  can  iland  a 

*  rigorous   examination  ;  and  they  gain  even  by  being  viewed 

*  clofely,  becaufe  we  feek  to  refie6t  more  on  the  pleafure  which 

*  they  procure  us,  and  to  difcover  the  nature  of  it. 

*  A  ferious  beauty  never  ceafes  to  pleafe,  much  lefs  doe&-it 

*  ever  cloy  :  we  think  that  it  is  always  difplaying  to  us  nev/ 
*■  charms. 

^  Such  are  the  figures  of  Raphael,  and  thofe  of  the  ancient 
'  mailers.  Without  having  an  affedled,  prepoflefling  air,  they 
'  are  the  moll  happily  compofed,  adorned  with  a  beauty  folid  and 

No  one,  I  think,  would  hefitate  ^about .  fubfcribing  to  thefe  re- 
flexions, if  inftead  of  charm,  the  author  had  faid  greatnefs.  The 
charm  of  beaiiiy,  mufty  of  neceflity,  have  fomething  prepoflefling 
and  attractive. 

Pa§- 


XAVATER's     physiognomy.  £7 


*   *  * 


TASSAGES    EXTRACTED     FROM  .  THE     HISTORY    OF  ART     AMOKQ 

THE  ANCIENTS. 


VII. 

'  Raphael  being  called  upon  to  paint  a  Galatea,  which  is  in  the 

*  collection  of  the  palace  of  Farnefe,  wrote  to  his  friend,  the  ce- 

*  lebrated  Count  Balthazar  Cafliglione,  in  thefe  terms  :  In  order 
'  to  make  choice  of  a  heautiful fornix  one  niujl  havefeen  the  mofi  heaut'i- 

*  Jul ;  nonv  nothing  being fo  rare  as  beautiful  <women,  I  haije  made  ufe 
^  *  of  the  ideas  luhich  wy  imagination  furnifloed.     I  will  venture  to 

*  maintain,  however,  that  the  face  of  this  Galatea  is  extremely 

*  ordinary,  and  that  there  are  few  places  v/here  you  will  not  find 

*  more  beautiful  women. 

*  Guido,   employed  on  his  pidiure  of  the  Archangel,  holds 

*  nearly  the  fame  language  with  Raphael,  in  a  letter  addrtffed  to 
'  a  prelate  of  the  court  of  Rome  :   It  is  from  among  the  beauties  of 

*  Paradife,  it  is  in  Heaven  itfelf  that  I  could  have  nvi/ljedto  choofe 

*  the  model  of  my  figure  ;  but  fo  high  a  flight  <was  beyond  my  po^iver  ; 

*  and  in  vain  have  I  fought  on  earth  a  form  which  could  come  up  to  ray 

*  imagination.    And,  after  all,  the  Archangel  is  lefs  beautiful  than 

*  fome  young  men  with  whom  I  have  been  acquainted.    I  am  not 

*  afraid  to  advance  that  the  judgment  pronounced  by  thefe  tv/o 

*  Artiils  proceeds  from  a  fwant  of  attention  on  their  part,  to  luhat  is 

*  beautiful  in  Nature.     I  will  even  go  fo  far  as  to  maintain  that  I 
«  have  met  with  faces  quite  as  perfe6i  asthofe  which  Raphael  and 

*  Guido  have  given  us  as  models  of  a  fubiime  beauty,' 


VIII. 

*  The  cheeks  of  a  Jupiter  and  of  a  Neptune  are  lefs  full  than 

*  tbofe  of  the  young  divinities :  the  forehead  alfo  ufually  rifes 

E  2  *  more 


5^  lavater's  physiognomy. 

*  more  in  the  form  of  an  arch,'  (that  is  to  fay,  above  the  eye- 
'  brows  ;)   *  there  refults  from  it  a  fmall  inflexion  in  the  line  of 

*  the   profile,'   (near  the   root    of  the    nofe,)-  *  and   the   look 

*  bscomes  of  coiirfe  fo  much  the  more  refle6live  and  more  com- 

*  manding.'     He   ©ught  to  have  faid  profound  inflead  of  com- 
mandir.g. 


IX, 

*  The   great   refemblance  of  Efculapius  to  his   grand-father 

*  may,  very  eafily,  have  for  its  principle,  the  remark  already  made 

*  by  the  ancients,  that  the  fon  has  frequently  lefs  refemblance  to 

*  the  father  than  to  the  grand-father.     This  leap  which  Nature 
'  makes  in  the  conformation  of  her  creatures  is  likcwife  proved  by 

*  experience  with  regard  to  animals,  and  particularly  with  regard 
'  to  horfes.' 


*  Whatever  is  conftralned,  is  out  of  nature  :  what  is  viokirt 
*  fhocks  decency/ 

Conjlra'int  is  the  indication  of  a  paflion  reprefled,  deeply  rooted^ 
and  proceeding  (lowly  :  liiolent  movements  are  the  efFe6l  of  a  de* 
terrained  paflion,  and  whofe  ftrokes  are  mortal. 


XI. 

*  There  is  no  remedy  againfl  infenfibility.' 

The  perfon  who  is  not  touched  from  the  tirll  moment,  at  leail 
to  a  certain  degree,  with  the  charader  of  candour,  goodnefs,  fim- 
plicity,  and  integrity,  in  certain  phyfionomies,  will  remain  infenfi- 
ble  to  it  for  ever.  To  attempt  to  awaken  fuch  a  feeling  would  be 
to  lofe  your  time  and  your  labour.     On  the  contrary,  he  wiU 

think 


LA7ATERS      PHYSIOGNOMV.  59 

think  himfelf  humbled  by  your  remontlrances,  he  will  be  irritated 
againfl  you,  and  perhaps  become  the  perfecutor  of  the  innocent 
man,  whofe  defence  you  had  undertaken.  What  purpofe  does  it 
anfwer  to  talk  to  the  deaf,  or  to  reafon  with  one  blind  on  the 
effeds  of  light  i 


XII. 


*  Michael- Angelo  is  to  Raphael,  what  Thucydides  is  to 
'  Xenophon.' 

And  the  phyfionoray  of  Michael- Angelo  is  to  that. of  Raphael, 
what  the  head  of  a  vigorpus  bull  is  to  that  of  a  high-bred 
horfe. 


1x1  II. 


*  Forms  Jlra'ight  and  full  conftitutc  the  great^  and  contours 
*  flowing  and  eafy  the  delicate.' 

Every  thing  that  is  great,  Juppofes  forms  flraight  and  full, 
but  thefe  laft  have  not  always  the  character  of  greatnefs.  In 
order  to  be  qualified  to  judge  how  far  a  form  is  ftraight  and  full, 
it  13  neceffary  to  be  at  the  proper  point  of  view. 

*  What  proves  that  the  ftraight  profile  conftitutes  beauty,  is 

*  the  charafter  of  the  contrary  profile.     The  flronger  the  in- 

*  flexion  of  the  nofe  is,  the  farther  the  profile  recedes  from  the 
'  beautiful  form.     When  you  have  examined  a  face  on  one  fide, 

*  and  difcovered  that  the  profile  is  bad,  you  may  fpare  yourfelf 

*  the  trouble  of  looking  for  beauty  in  that  phyfionomy.' 

A  phyfionomy  may  be  one  of  the  raofl  noble,  moft  ingenuous, 
moft  judicious,  moft  fprightly,  and  moft  amiable  ;  the  Phyfiono- 
mift  fhall  be  able  to  difcover  in  it  the  greateft  beauties,  becaufe, 
•in  general,  he  calls  beautiful  eveiy  good  quality  v/hich  is  exprelfed 

E  3  by 


6o  lavater's  physiognomy. 

hj  the  fenfes — but  thxC  fonn  itfelf  will  not,  after  all,  be  beautiful 
on  that  account,  neither  does  it  deferve  that  name,  If  we  would 
cxprefs  ourfelves  with  precifion. 


XIV. 


^  Grace  IS  formed  and  refides  in  the  gait  and  attitudes :  it 

*  manifefts  itfelf  in    the  anions  and   movements  of  the   body  : 
'  diifufed  over  every  objefi;,  it  appears  even  In  the  fweep  of  the 

*  drapery,  and  the  flyle  of  drefs.     Grace  was  worfhipped  among 

*  the  antient  Greeks  only  under  two  names  :  the  one  was  called 

*  cehji'ial^  the  ether  terrejlnal.   The  latter  is  complaifant  without 

*  meannefs  ;  file  communicates  herfelf  with  gentlenefs  to  thofe 
'  who  are  fmitten  with  her  charms  ;  fhe  is  not  eager  to  pleafe, 

*  only  fire  would  not  wifh  to  remain  unknown.     The  other  ap- 

*  pears  felf-fufhciently  independent ;  file  wiPaes  to   be  courted, 

*  but  will  not  make  advances.     Too  elevated  to  have  much  com- 

*  munication  with  the  fenfes,  file  deigns  to  addrefs  herfelf  only 

*  to  the  mind.      The   Supreme^  fays    Plato,  has   no   image.     She 

*  converfes  only  with   the  fage  ;  to  the  vulgar  fhe  is  lofty  and 

*  repelling.     Always   equal,  fiie  reprefies   the   emotions   of  the 

*  foul,  fne  retires   into  the  delicious  tranquillity  of  that  divine 

*  nature,  the  type  of  which  the  greatefi:  mailers  of  Art  have  endea- 

*  voured  to  catch.     She  fmiled   innocently  and  by  ftealth  in  the 
*"  Sofandra  of  Calamls  :  file  concealed  herfelf  with  artlefs  modefly 

*  on   the   forehead  and  in    the  eyes  of   that   youngr   Amazon, 
'  and  fported    with   an   elegant    fimplicity.  in   the   flowing  of 

*  her  robe.' 

Grace  is  never  repulfivc  to  any  one.  She  repofcs,  If  I  may 
life  the  expreflSon,  on  the  real  or  apparent  movements  of  an 
harmonious  whole.  The  lines  which  fiie  defcribes  pleafe  a'l 
eyes.  "Vh^  great  pofiibly  may  not  be  intelligible  to  every  one  ;  it 
is  fometimes  tirefome,  oppreflive  ;  but  grace  Is  never  fo.  Nature, 
eafe,  fimplicity,  a  perftd  harmony,  an  abfolute  freedom  from 
every  thing  fuperfluous    or    confirained — this    is    the    proper 

charade-r 


xavater's    physiognomy,  6i 

chara6ler  of  the  graces,  whether  celeflial  or  terreftrial  ;  an 
umlable  difpojltiony  expreffed  by  graceful  motions-— -ihis  Is  their  at- 
tribute. 


XV. 

*  Our  way  of  thinking  Is  ufually  analogous  to  the  form  of 
*  our  body.* 


XVI. 


*  You  find  In  the  phyfionomies   of  Guldo  and  of  GuercinI, 
^  the  colouring  of  their  pidlures.' 


xvn. 

*  Nothing  Is  more  difScult  than  to  demonilrate  a  felf-evldent 
•^  truth.'    Efpecially  in  Phyiiognoray. 

^  #  * 


5C.  Thoughts  extracted  from  a  Dissertation  inserted 
IN  A  German  Journal. 

Without  going  Into  a  thorough  Invefligation  of  this  DifTerta- 
tion,  I  fhall  confine  myfelf  to  feme  detached  propofitions,  and 
>forae  particular  ideas  contained  in  it,  the  principles  of  which, 
true  or  falfe,  appear  to  me  worthy  of  fome  attention. 


I. 

■*  It  alledges,  that  perfons  whofe  arched  nofe  terminates  In  a 
«  point  are  intelligent,  and  the  flat  nofe,  it  is  faid,  ufually  fup- 
■*  pofes  want  of  underllanding.' 

E  4  This 


62,  lavater's    physiognomy. 

This  needs  to  be  explained,  and  without  defign  the  explanation 
becomes  next  to  impofiible.  The  nofe  may  be  arched  in  various 
ways :  are  thofe  which  the  Author  means  arched  lengthwife,  or 
in  breadth,  and  how  ?  Till  this  preliminary  queftion  is  refolvcd, 
the  propofition  is  as  vague,  as  if  he  fpoke  in  general  terms  of  the 
arch  of  the  forehead.  Every  forehead  is  arched  ;  a  great  many 
pofes  are  fo  too,  thofe  of  the  moil:  intelligent  perfons,  a,nd  thofe 
of  the  moft  ftupid.  But  v\-hat  is  the  meafure  of  this  arch  ?  where 
does  it  begin  ?  how  far  does  it  go  ?  where  does  it  end  ? 

T  allow  that  a  beautiful  nofe,  marked  well,  and  angular,  tcr- 
niinatingin  a  point,  and  bending  a  little  towards  the  lips,  is  a  cer- 
tain mark  of  underftanding,  provided  however,  this  trait  is  not 
balanced  by  other  contradiSory  traits.  But  it  is  not  exclufively 
true  in  the  inverfe,  *  that  a  flat  nofe  mull  indicate  a  want  of  un- 
derflanding,' 

The  form  of  nofes  of  this  kind  may,  in  general,  very  poffibly 
be  unfavourable  to  underftanding  j  but  there  are,  however,  flat- 
nofed  perfons  remarkably  intelligent.  I  flisili  refume  this  fub- 
ie6l  in  the  Ledlure  or  the  Nofe. 


*  Ought  an  arched  nofe,'  (fuppofing,  for  a  moment,  that  it 
IS  the  indication  of  underHanding,  and  that  a  fiat  nofe  indicates 
the  contrary-)   '  to  be  confidered  as  a  fimple  pafiive  fign,  which 

*  fuppofes,  at  the  fame  time,  other  caufcs  of  underftanding  I   or 

*  elfe  is  the  nofe  itfelf  that  caufe  ? 


In  this  cafe  I  anfwer,  that  the  nofe  Is  at  once  the^^n  and  canfe^ 
and  the  effe^. 

It  is  the  j^^«  of  underftanding,  for  it  announces  that  quality, 
and  becomes  the  neceffary  exprefiion  of  it.  It  is  the  cau/e  oi  un- 
derftanding, fjnce  it  determines  at  leaft  the  degree  and  fj^echs  of 


I.  A  V  A T  E  r's    P  H  y  S  T  0  G  N  ©  M  Y»  Ct 

intelleftual  power.  And,  ladly,  it  is  the  effe^^,  inafmucli  as  it  is 
the  refiiit  of  an  underftaiiding  whofe  aftive  faculty  is  fuch,  that 
the  nofc  could  neither  have  remained  fmaller,  nor  grown  larger, 
Eor  have  been  differently  modelled. 

We  ought  to  confider  not  only  the  form,  but  the  matter;  this 
laft  admitting  no  other  forms  but  fuch  as  correfpond  to  its  nature, 
and  to  the  ingredients  of  which  it  is  itfelf  compofed.  This 
matter  is,  perhaps,  the  primitive  principle  of  the  form.  It  is 
upon  a  certain  given  quantity  of  matter  that  the  immortal  germ, 
that  the  Qeiqh  of  man,  muff  operate  in  fuch  and  fuch  a  manner,  im- 
mediately after  the  conception.  It  is  from  this  moment  that  the 
fpring  of  the  mind  has  begun  to  aft,  juft  as  an  artificial  fpring 
receives  its  activity  only  from  the  oppoling  conHraint. 

Therefore,  it  is,  at  once  true  andfalfe  that  certain  Hat  nofes  are 
an  infurmountable  barrier  in  the  way  of  underifanding.  It  is 
true,  for  it  is  decidedly  clear  that  certain  fiat  nofes  abfolutely  ex- 
clude a  certain  degree  of  mental  faculty.  It  is  falfe,  for  before 
the  defign  and  the  contours  of  the  nofe  were  adjufted,  there  was  al- 
ready an  hnpojfih'ility  that  it  could  have  been  formed  differently  in 
the  given  body,  and  after  the  given  organization,  of  which  it 
is  the  rtfult. 

The  mind,  the  principle  of  life,  the  I— whofe  faculties  the 
Creator  had  thought  proper  to  reilrain,  wanted  the  circle  of  ac- 
tivity neceifary  for  forming  the  nofe  into  a  point. 

There  is,  then,  more  fubtility  than  philofophic  exaflnefg  in 
faying,  '  that  nofes  of  this  fort  are  an  infurmountable  barrier  in 
^  the  way  of  underfianding.' 


in, 


^  The  coincidence  which  is  to  be  found  between  our  exterior 
*  and  our  internal  qualities^  depends  not  on  the  exterior  form,  but 

'  on 


^^  lavater's  physiognomy. 

*  on  a  phyficalconneflionof  the  whole.  This  relation  is  the  fame 

*  with  that  of  caufe  and  efFed,  or,  in  other  terms,  the  phyfiono- 

*  my  is  not  only  the  image  of  the  interior  man,  but  is  likewife 

*  the  elT-cient  caufe  of  it.     The  configuration  and  the  arrange- 

*  ment  of  the  mufcles  determine  our  manner  of  thinking  and  feel- 

*  ing.' 

I  will  add,  that  it  is  the  foul  which,   in  its  turn,   determines 
this  configuration  and  the  arrangement  of  the  mufcles. 


IT, 


*  It  has  been  afferted,  that  a  large  extended  forehead  is  the 

*  mark  of  a  profound  judgment.     There  is  a  very  natural  expla- 
•*  nation  of  this.     The  mufcle  of  the  forehead  is  the  principal  in- 

*  ftrument  of  thought  :  confequently,  if  it  is  narrowed  and  con- 
'*  traded,  it  muft  be  incapable  of  rendering  the  fame  fervices  as 

*  when  it  has  a  fuitable  extent.' 

Without  wifhing  to  contradict  the  Author  as  to  his  principal 
pofition,  I  {hall  only  take  the  liberty  to  fix  his  idea  fomewhat 
more  precifcly. 

Generally  fpeaking,  it  is  true,  if  you  will,  thaf  the  greater  or 
iefs  quantity  of  brain  determines  aljo  the  more  or  the  lefi  of  intellectual 
jacuhies.  Animals  dellltutc  of  brain  are  at  the  fame  time  the  molu 
■ftupid,  and  the  moll  intelligent  are  thofe  v/hich  have  moft 
brain. 

Man-,  who  by  means  of  his  reafon  Is  exalted  above  all  other 
animals,  has  a  greater  quantity  of  brain  than  any  of  them  :  hence 
it  might  be  thouglit  a  fair,  analogical,  and  juft  conclufion,  that 
m  judicious  man  mtifi  have  more  brain  than  one  of  a  contraBednnndt 

Neverthelefs,  verypofitive  obfervationshave  demonftrated,  that 
tkis  propofition  has  lieed  of  great  modifications  and  rellridlions, 

-before; 


tA  VATER's    FH  Y  SI  OG  NOM  Y.  65 

bisfore  It  can  be  received  as  true.  When  the  matter  and  the 
form  of  the  brain  are  equal  in  two  perfons,  a  greater  mafs  of  brain 
is  certainly  alfo  the  feat,  the  indication,  the  caufe,  or  the  effedtf 
of  a  fuperiority  of  faculties. 

Every  thing,  then,  being  equal,  a  great  mafs  of  brain  and  a 
large  forehead  indicate  more  fenfe  than  a  fmall  forehead.  But 
juft  as  one  is  frequently  more  conveni.::iitly  lodged  in  a  fmall  apart- 
ment, well  arranged,  than  in  a  fpacious  one,  there  are,  likevvife, 
little  narrow  foreheads,  which,  with  a  fmaller  quantity  of  brain, 
contain,  neverthelefs,  a  mod  judicious  mind. 

I  know  a  multitude  of  foreheads  low,  or  oblique,  or  almoft 
perpendicular,  or  even  flightly  arched,  which  furpafs  the  largeft 
and  molt  elevated  foreheads  in  judgment  and  penetration.  I  have 
frequently  feen  thofe  of  the  lall  defcription  beloiiging  to  perfons 
extremely  weak  in  mind  ;  and,  perhaps,  it  might  be  laid  down  as 
an  axiom,  *  that  a  foretuad  low,  coinpr.i£l,  and  of  fmall  extent, 
*  annoimces  fenfe  and  jadgment :'  though  v-ithout  a  determina- 
tion more  precife,  this  propoiition  would  not,  after  all,  be  gene- 
rally true,  nor  ?ny  tln'-ig  near  It.  But  what  is  pofitively  certain, 
is,  that  you  may  expe6l  moft  frequently  a  decided  ftupidity  from 
a  large  fpacious  forehead,  rounded  into  a  liemafphere:  and  yet 
Galen,  if  I  am  not  miftaken,  and  H;.''.rt  after  him,  confider  this 
form  as  particularly  favourable  to  the  faculty  of  thought. 

The  m.ore  that  the  forehead,  (I  do  not  fpeak  o^Jcull  tahn  a!tc- 
gether)  the  more  that  the  forehead  approaches  to  a  hemifphere, 
the  more  it  is  weak  in  underllanding,  enervated,  incapable  of  re- 
flefhion:  this  affertion  is  founded  on  frequently  repeated  experf- 
ment.  The  mox^  Jlraigh  lines  a  forehead  has — (and  confequcnt- 
ly  the  Icfs  fpacious  it  is,  for  the  more  it  is  arched,  the  greater 
will  be  its  extent,  and  the  more  it  is  bounded  by  ftraight  lines, 
the  more  contradifted  will  it  be) — the  more  ftraight  lines,  I  fay, 
a  forehead  has,  the  more  judgme?it  It  will  indicate,  but,  at  ths 
fame  time,  fo  much  the  hjs  fenjibility. 

There 


66  LAVATEr'  S    P  H  YSIO  G:NOm  Y. 

There  are,  however,  foreheads  large  and  of  great  extent, 
which,  without  having  thefe  ftraight  lines,  are  not  the  kfs  former 
for  profound  thought ;  only  they  are  in  that  cafe  dillinguifhed  by 
the  deviation  of  the  contours. 


V, 


*  According  to  our  Author,  *  fanatics  have  ufaally  -a  face  jfiat 
<  and  perpendicular.*  He  ought  rather  to  have  faid,  a  face  oval, 
cylindrical,  and  pointed  at  top.  And  even  this  form  is  peculiar 
to  that  fpecies  of  fanatics  who  are  fo  in  cold  blood,  and  all  their 
life  lonp-..  Others,  that  is,  fuchas  take  the  reveries  of  their  own 
imaginations  for  real  fenfations,  and  their  illufions  for  an  efFed 
of  the  ftnfes,  rarely  have  heads  cylindrical  and  drdiwiug  to  a 
pomt. 

Pointed  heads,  when  they  give  themfelves  up  to  a  falfe  enthu- 
fiafm,  become  attached  to  words  and  figns,  of  which  they  com- 
prehend neither  the  fenfe  nor  the  import.  Thefe  ^xtphilofophica! 
fanaticsy  and  with  them  nothing  Is  fiction.  On  the  contrary, 
thofe  who  are  fanatics  from  imagination  or  feeling,  fcarcely  evt-r 
%'dve  flat  and  uniform  phylionomies. 


*  Perpendicular  forelieads  are   common   to   oillnate    perfonGi 
*  and  fanatics.' 

Perpendicularity  always  Indicates  coldnefs  of  temperament,  a 

want  of  eiailicity  and  capacity— and,  of  confequence,  a  folidity 

which  may  change  into  firmnefs,  into  obllinacy,  or  Into  fanatl- 

..cifm.     A  perfeft  perpendicularity  and  a  total  want  of  judgment 

iignify  one  and  the  fame  thing, 

^  Every 


LAVATEr's    PHYSIOGN  OMlf.  Cj 


VII- 


^  Every   difpofition    of  mind    has  its   particular  lool',    or   a 

*  certain  movement  of  the  mufcles  of  the  face.    Of  confequence, 

*  by  obferving  what  is  a  man's  moft   natural  and  moll  habitual 

*  look,  you  will  know  likewife  the  difpofitions  which  are  natural 

*  and  familiar  to  him. 

*  Let  me  explain  my  meaning.  The  primitive  conformation 
'  of  the  face  is  fuch,  that  this   particular  look    becomes   more 

*  eafy  to  one,  and  that  to  another.     An  idiot  will  never  fucceed 

*  in  attempting  to  affume  a  fennble  look  ;  if  he  could,  he  would 
'  become  a  knave/ 

Except  the  lall  proportion,  all  this  is  admirable.  There  is 
no  one  fo  immoveably  virtuous  but  that,  in  certain  circumilances, 
he  may  be  betrayed  into  difhonefty.  I  fee  no  phyfical  impofilbi- 
lity,  at  lead,  in  the  way. 

An  honeil  man  is  organized  in  fuch  a  mauner,  that  \\q. pojfih'iy 
may  be  tempted  to  commit  a  difhoneft  adlion.  The  poffibiiity  oi 
the  look  therefore  cxiUs  equally  with  the  polTibili'ty  of  the  thing, 
and  one  may  be  able  to  imitate  or  counterfeit  the  mien  of  a 
kjiave,  without  becoming  one. 

It  is  widely  different,  in  my  opinion,  with  regard  to  the  poffibi- 
iity of  imitating  the  mien  of  a  virtuous  man.  It  may  be  no  great 
difficulty  to  him  to  affume  the  look  of  a  viiiain  ;  but  it  will  be  no 
cafy  matter  for  a  villain  to  put  on  the  appearance  of  a  virtuous- 
man  :  jull  as  unhappily  it  cod,  much  kfs  to  become  vicious  than 
to  become  virtuous. 

Judgment,  fcMifibility,  talents,  genius,  virtue,  ,  religion,  are 
mucli  more  eafilv  loft  than  they  are  acquired.     The  belt  ot  men 

may 


>.. 


©5  LATATER'S     PHYSIOGNOMV. 

may  f.nk  to  the  lowefl:  degree,  but  it  is  not  in  his  power  to  rife 
as  high  as  h^^  could  wifh. 

It  is  phyfically  pofTible  for  the  wife  man  to  lofe  his  reafon,  and 
for  the  man  of  virtue  to  degenerate  ;  but  it  requires  a  miracle  to 
change  one  born  an  idiot  into  a  philofopher,  or  the  villain  into  a 
man  of  virtue,  A  llcin  like  alabailer  may  become  black  and 
wrinkled  ;  but  in  vain  will  the  Ethiopian  vvalh  himfelf,  he  never 
can  become  white. 

It  is  not  in  my  power  to  become  a  Negro,  if  by  chance  I  fhould 
conceive  an  indication  to  blacken  my  complexion  :  as  little  fliould 
I  be  a  villain. in  reality,  by  taking  a  fancy  to  borrow  the  ap- 
pearance of  one. 


viir. 


*  Only  let  the  Phyfionomiil  examine  the  hind  of  looh  which  mojh 

*  frequently  recurs  in  the  fame  face.     When  he  has  found  it,  he 

*  will  likewife  know  what  is  the  habitual  difpofition  of  that  in- 
'  dividual.     The  Phyficgnomical   Science   is   not,  however,  an 

*  eafy  matter.     It  hence  appears,   on  the  contrary,  what  genius, 

*  imagination,  and  talents  are  fuppofed  in  the  perfon  who  culti- 

*  vates  that  Science.     The  Phyfionomiil  muft  pay  attention  not 

*  only  to  what  he  fees,  but  likewife  to  what  he  would  fee  in  fuch 

*  a  given  eafe. 


Charmingly  expreffed  !  And  juft  as  a  Phyfician  is  in  a  condi- 
tion to  feel  beforehand,  to  forefee  and  to  foretel  the  colour, 
the  mien,  and  contorlions  which  will  be  the  refult  of  a  difeafe 
he  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with ;  in  like  manner,  the  real  Phy- 
fionomift,  will  be  able  to  Indicate  the  mien,  the  expreflion,  and 
the  play,  which  every  mufcular  fyfiem,  and  every  ilrudure  of 
forehead,  permits  or  excludes  :  he  will  know  what  corrugations 
every  face  may  and  mull  alfum?.  ox  not  afTume,  in  all  polTible  and 
probable  cafes. 

«  Let 


tATATER's     PHTSIGGNOMV?  69 


IX. 


«  Let  a  beginner  draw  a  head,  and  the  face  will  always  have 

*  an  air  of  ftupidity,  never  a  wicked  or  raab'gnant  air.* — 

A  moft  important  obfervation. 

*  Whence  arifes  this  phenomenon  ?  aad  might  it  not  ferve  to 

*  inform  us  abftradedly  what  it  is  that  conftltutes  a  ftupid  phyfi- 

*  onomy  ?  I  cannot  doubt  of  it  for  a  moment.     It  is  becaufe  the 

*  beginner  does  not  know  how  to  mark  the  relations  in  the  face 

*  which  he  is  drawing  :  the  features  are  thrown  upon  the  paper 
^  without  any  connection. 

'  What,  then,  is  meant  by  a  ftupid  face  ?  That  whofe  mufcles 

*  are  conformed  or  arranged  in  a  defedlive  manner  ;  and  as  it  is 

*  upon  them  that  necelTarily  depends  the  operation  of  thought 

*  and  feeling,  this  operation  mull  likewife  be  much  more  tardy 

*  and  fluggifh.' 


y. 


'  The  Phyfionomift  likewife  ought  to  obferve  the  fcull,  or  rs- 

*  ther  the   bones   in   jreneraU   which   in    like   manner  have  an 

*  influence  on  the  pofition  of  the  mufcles.     Would  thut  of  the 

*  forehead  be  equally  well  placed,  equally  favourable  to  thought,. 

*  if  the  bone  had  a  different  furface,  or  if  it  were  differently 

*  arched  ? 

<  The  figure  and  the  pofition  of  the  mufcles,  and  thefe,  in  their 

*  turn,    immediately  determiue  our    manner  of  thinking  and 
«  feeling.' 

*  The 


7©  tAtATER's    PHYSIOGNOMY, 


Xli 


•  The  parting  and  the  pofition  of  the  hair  may  likewife  far- 

*  nifh   us  with  certain  inductions.     Whence  comes  the  frizzled 

*  hair  of  the  Negro  ?  It  is  from  the  thicknefs  of  his  fidu  :  by  a 

*  tranfpiration  too  abundant,  a  greater  number  of  particks  is  aU  ■ 

*  ways   attached  to  it,   which  condenfe  and    blacken   the   (\dn. 

*  The   hairs,   of    confequence,   penetrate   with    difficulty ;    and 
'  fcarcely  go  they  begin  to  (hoot,  till  they  curl  and  ceafe  from 

*  growing.     They  are,  therefore,  in  fubordination  to  the  form  of 

*  the  fciiA,  and  the  pofition  of  the  mufcles.     The  arrangement 
*■  of  thefe  lad  determines  the  arrangement  of  the  hair,  by  which 

*  the  Phylionomiil  is  enabled  to  judge  reciprocally  of  the  po- 
'  fition  of  the  mufcles/ 

Our  Author  to  me  appears  in  a  good  train.  He  is  hitherto,  as 
far  as  I  know,  the  firfl  and  the  only  one  who  underilands  and 
who  feels  as  a  Phyfionomiil,  the  relation,  the  harmony,  and  the 
Vniforraity,  of  the  dificrent  parts  cf  the  human  body. 

What  he  here  fays  of  the  hair  is  extremely  well  founded,  and 
the  moil  (uperficial  Obferver  may  every  day  fatisfy  himelf,  by  ex- 
perience, that  it  ferves  to  indicate  iKit  only  the  conllitution  of  the 
body,  but  the  clrara6lcr  of  the  mind  likewife. 

Hair  white,  fofc  and  lank,  is  always  the  mark  of  a  feeble,  deli- 
cate, and  irritable  organization,  or,  rather,  of  a  temper  eafily 
alarmed,  and  which  Yields  to  the  flip-hteft  impr'^fiions.    Hair  black 

'  rf  or 

and  frizsrled  will  never  alTociate  with  a  head  foit  and  delicati^. 

As  is  the  hair,  fuch  alfo  is  the  llefii  :  from  the  flefli  wy:  may 
judge  of  the  mufcles  j  fi-om  the  mufcles,  of  the  nerves  ;  from  the 
nerves,  cf  the  bones  ;  and  fo  of  the  reil..  If  you  know  a  fiiigle 
one  of  thefe  parts,  you  know  ail  the  others  of  courfe  ;  and  voir 
know  alfo  the  character  of  the  mind,  its  active  and  paflive  fiicul- 

ties. 


tAVATER's     PHYSIOGNOMY.  *Jt 

ties,  what  it  is  fufceptible  of,   and  what  it  is  capable  of  pro- 
ducing. 

Hair  fhort,  harfh,  black,  and  frizzled,  fuppofes  the  leaft 
poffible  degree  of  irritability — hair  white  and  foft  fuppofes  pre- 
cifely  the  contrary.  In  this  laft  cafe,  the  Irritability  is  deftitute 
of  elaftic  force,  and  announces  a  character  which  makes  no  refift- 
ance  to  the  load  laid  upon  it ;  whereas,  in  the  other  cafe,  you  mufl 
lay  your  account  with  a  character  rather  formed  for  giving  than 
for  receiving  impulfion  ;  but  it  will  be  equally  deftitute  of 
elaftic  force, 

*  Fat  is  the  fource  of  hair  ;  hence  the  parts  of  the  body  which 

*  are  the  fatteii,  are  likewife  the  mofi;  furnifhed  with  hair  ;  fuch  as 

*  the  head,  the  arm-pits,  &c.   Withof  has  remarked,  that  there 
'  is  in  thefe  parts  a  confiderable  number  of  fmall  conduits  of  fat : 

*  wherever  they  are  wanting,  there  can  be  no  hair/ 

From  the  elajiklty  of  the  hairy  I  am  perfe6lly  certain  that  a  judg- 
ment may  be  formed  of  the  elailicity  of  the  character. 

'  Hair  is  the  mark  of  humi4ity,  and  may  be  employed  as  an 

*  hygrometer, 

*  Generally  ^  the  inhabitants  of  cold  climates  have  fair  Iiair  ; 

*  whereas,  in  warm  countries,  dark  hair  is  more  common. 

*  Lionel  Wafer  obferves,  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  Amerx- 

*  can  Strait  have  hair  white  as  milk.     Hair  of  a  greenifh  caft  is 

*  fcarcely  to  be  met  with,  except  among  flaves  who  labour  in  the 

*  copper  mines.* 

In  defcriptive  advertifements  of  malefaftors,  you  hardly  ever 
find  fair  hair,  but  fo  much  the  more  frequently  hair  of  a  deep 
brown  ;  likewife,  fometimes  black  hair,  with  fair  eyebrows, 

*  The  hair  of  women  is  longer  than  that  of  meti.' 

Vol.  III.  F  A  man 


72  lavater's    ehysioghomy., 

A  man  with  longhair  is  always  of  a  character  rather  effeminate 
than  mafculine  ;  it  would, -confequently,  be  folly  In  him  to  boaii 
of  long  hair  as  a  beautiful  ornament.  Such  long  hair,  befides,  is 
almoil  always  fair  ;  neither  do  I  recoile6l  my  ever  having  feen 
black  hair  of  a  certain  length. 

*  Black  hair  is  more  harfii  than  the  fair;  and  the  hair  of  grown 

*  perfons  Is  likewlfe  ftronger  than   that  of  young  ones.     The 

*  Ancients  confidered  rough  hair  as  the  fign  of  a  fa^age  dif- 

*  pofitlon  I 

'  H'lfp'ida  wemhra  quidem  et  dura  per  hrachiafeto^ 

*  Froniiitunt atrocem  animum*^ 

Rough  brawny  limbs,  and  lufly  hair- clad  arms, 
Announce  a  mind  ferocious. 


XII. 

•  Since  every  thing  depends  on  the  conftitution  of  the  mtifcles^^, 
*■  we  mufl  look  for  the  exprefiion  of  ever)'-  mode  of  thinking  and 
*  feeling  in  the  correfpondlng  mufcles.' 

Certainly  you  muft  look  for  it  there,  but,  perhaps,  yon  will 
meet  with  fome  diiHculty  in  finding  it  ;.  at  leaft,  it  will  be  much, 
more  eafy  to  determine,  this  exprefiion  from  the  form  of  t'he 
forehead. 


XI I  r. 

'  The  mufcleorthe  forehead  is  the  principal  inftrumentof  the 

*  abftraft  Thinker  ;  there  the  exprefiion  of  the  forehead  is  con- 

*  centrated.' 

In  the  neighbourhood  probably  of  the  eyebrows ;  ©r  in" the  eye- 
[brows  themfdvcsj  or  ia  tii§  iaterval  which  feparRtes  them.    I 

fuppofe, 


lavater's   physiognomy.  73 

fuppofe,  bdides,  that  this  exprefTion  difcovers  Itfelf  chiefly  at  the 
moment  when  the  Thinker  lillens  to  you  with  attention,  when  he 
is  preparing  his  reply  and  his  objeftions.  Seize  that  moment — 
and  you  will  have  found  a  new  and  a  uioll  interefting  phyfiogno- 
mical  lign. 


XIV. 


*  In  perfons  who  do  not  deal  in  abftraft  ideas,  but  follow  t!ie 

*  bent  of  imagination  ;  confequently  in  perfons  of  ingenuity,  in 

*  wits  and  great  geniufes,  all  the  mufcles  muft  be  advantageoufly 

*  conformed  and  difpofed— and  this  is  the  reafoh  why  we  ufualiy 
'  look  for  the  expreffion   of  their  chara<^er    in  the  combined 

*  whole  of  the  phyfionomy.' 

Neverthelefs,  this  exprefllon  may  be  eafily  found  too  in  the 
forehead  fmgly.  It  will  be"  then  lefs  pointed,  lefs  ftraight,  lefs  per- 
pendicular, lefs  wrinkled;  and  the  il^in  will  be  lefs  tenfe,  more 
moveable,  and  fgfter. 


XV. 

*  What  pains  has  it  coil  to  perfuade  men  that  Phyfiognomy  is, 

*  at  leaft,  of  general  utility  !* 

Even  at  this  hour,  certain  pretenders  to  fuperior  underftanding 
have  the  confidence  ftillto  call  in  queftion  this  utility  !  How  long 
will  they  perfift  in  their  obftinate  incredulity  ?  A  traveller,  expofed 
at  noon  to  the  fcorching  rays  of  the  fun,  may  complain  gf  the 
exceflive  heat ;  but,  reftored  to  the  cooling  fliade,  will  he  the  lefs 
gratefully  acknowledge  the  falutar\'  influences  of  the  great  orb  of 
day  ? 

*  How  afllicling  it  is  to  hear  the  mod;  wretched  decifions  pro- 

*  nowtced  on  our  Science,  by  perfou?  ef  real  diilinjTiion  in  the 

F  2  *  learned 


74  eavatetr's  physiognomy. 

*  learned  world,  men  formed  for  extending  the  range  of  the  human 

*  mind  ! 

*  When  will  a  time  come»  when  the  knowledge  of  man  (hall  be- 

*  come  a  conftituent  part   (and  why  not  the  principal  part,  thg 

*  centre)  of  Natural  Hiilory  ?  when  Pneumatology,  Phyiiogno- 

*  my,  and  Phyfiology,  fhall  walk  hand  in  hand,  and  unite  to  en- 

*  large  the  boundaries  of  human  knowledge  ?' 


*  *  # 


XL     Mi  s  c  e  l  l  a  n  IX  s; 


I. 


AJTECDOTS  RESPECTING  CaMPANELLA,  EXTRACTED  FROM  Mr> 

Burke's  Philosophical  Enquiry  into  the  Sublime  and 
Beautiful. 

*  This  Campanella  had  not  only  made  very  acute  obfervation& 

*  on  human  faced,  but  was  very  expert  in  mimicking  fuch  as  were 

*  any  way  remarkable.     When  he  had  a  mind  to  penetrate  iato 
'  the  inclinations  of  thofe  he  had  to  deal  with,  he  compofed  his 

*  face,  his  gefture,  and  his  whole  body,  as  nearly  as  he  could,  into 
*.exa6l  fimiiitude  of  the  perfon  whom  he  intended  to  examine  ; 

*  and  then  carefully  obferved  what  turn  of  mind  he  feemed  to  ac« 

*  quire  by  this  change.  So  that  he  was  able  to  enter  into  the  dif- 
'  poiitionsand  thoughts  of  people  as  effedlually  as  if  he  had  been 

*  changed  into  the  very  man.' 

Inftead  of  effeciualhi  it  would  have  been,  I  think,  more  con- 
fiftent  with  truth  to  fay,  to  a  certain  point, 

*  I  have  often  obferved,  that  on  mimicking  thje  looks  and 

*  geftures  of  angry  or  placid,  or  frighted,  or  daring  men,  I  have 

'  involun-^ 


-  LdVAT  ER    S    PHYSIOG  NOMY,  75 

^  involuntarily   found   my  mind   turned  to  that  paffion  whofc 

*  appearance  I  endeavoured  to  imitate  ;  nay,  I  am  convinced  it  is 

*  hard  to  avoid  it,  though  one  ilrove  to  feparate  the  paffion  from 
'  its  correfpondent  gcfture.  , 

*  Our  minds  and  bodies  are  fo  clofely  and  intimateiy  connedled, 

*  that  tJbe  one  is  incapable  of  pain  or  pleafure  without  tlie  other. 

*  Campaijella  could  fo  abftradl  his  attention  from  any  fufFerings  of 

*  his  body,  that  he  vi^as  able  to  endure  the  rack  itfelf  without 

*  much   pain ;    and  in   lefTer   pains,    every   one  muft   have    ob- 

*  ferved,  that  when  we  can  employ  our  attention  on  any  thing 
'  elfe,  the  pain  has  been  for  a  time   fufpended  :  on  the    other 

*  hand,  if 'by  any  means  thel)ody  is  indifpofed  to  perform  fuch 

<  geftures,  or  to  be  ftimulated  into  fuch  emotions,  as  any  pafiion 

*  ufually  produces  in  it,  that  paffion  itfelf  never  can  arife,  though 
«  its  caufe  fliould  be  never  fo  flrongly  in  adion  ;  though  it  fhould 

<  be  merely  mental,  and  immediately  affecting  none  of  the  fenfes. 
«  As  an   opiate,  or    fplrituous    liqi^ors,  fhall  fufpend  the   opc- 

*  ration  of  grief,  or  fear,  or  anger,  in  fpite  of  all  our  efforts 
^  to  the  contrary  ;  and  this  by  inducing  in  the  body  a  djfpofitioa 

*  contrary  to  that  which  it  receives  from  thefe  paffions,' 


II, 

'  Who  fhall  ever  have  it  in  his  power  to  tell  wherein  the  orga- 
*  nization  of  an  idiot  differs  from  that  of  another  man  ?' 

For  inflance,  the  Natural! (l  Euffon,  or  any  other  perfon  ca- 
pable of  propofmg  fuch  a  queftion,  would  not  be  fatisfied  with  my 
enfwer,  though  it  amounted  to  a  complete  demonflration. 


III. 


■■^  The  befl  food,  and  the  m.oil  wholefome  exercife,  are  unable 
*  to  recover  a  man  who  is  at  the  point  of  deatU.' 

F3  There 


76  lavater's  physiognomy. 

There  are  phyfionomies  which  no  wifdom,  Xvhich  no  human 
power,  is  capable  of  reforming  ;  but  what  is  irapofiible  to 
man,  is  not  to   God. 


IV. 

*  When  the  gnawing  worn  is  within,  the  impreflion  of  the 
'  ravage  it  makes  is  vifible  on  the  outfide,  which  appears  quite 
*  disfigured  by  it.' 

In  vain  does  the  hypocrite  counterfeit  that  noble  affurance, 
that  peaceful  ferenity,  which  virtue  infpires  ;  his  face  will  be 
only  the  more  ftiocking  in  the  eyes  of  the  Phyfioncmift, 


V. 


*  Remove  that  tree  from  its  proper  climate  and  foil,  remove 

*  it  from  that  open  air  v-^hich  is  neceiTary  to  it,  and  place  it  i-fi 

*  the  confined  atmofphere   of  a  green-houfe  ;   it  will,  perhaps, 

*  vegetate  a  little  while  longer   in  a  langulfhing  condition — but 

*  that  is  ail.     Take  that  foreign  animal  out  of  its  element,  try 

*  to  bring  it  up  in  a  menagerie  ;  in  fpite  of  all  your  care,  it  will 

*  die,  or  elfe  become  too  fat,  and  fpeedily  degenerate.*  Alas,"  this 
is  the  cafe  with  an  infinite  number  of  faces  I 


VI. 

*  A  portrait  is  the  ideal  reprefentation  of  a  giv^i  man,  and 
*  not  of  man  in  general.'     Lejjlng* 

An  excellent  portrait  is,  in  my  opinion,  neither  more  nor  lefs 
than  the  folid  form  of  the  man,  reduced  to  furface  ;  fuch  as  a 
Camera  ohfcura  traces  in  day-light,  when  tile  original  is  placed 
in  his  moll  natilral  lituation, 

VII.  *  How 


XA^ATER'S    PHYSIOGN  OMY.  77 


VII. 


■^  How  comes  it,  I  aflced  of  a  friend,  that  crafty  and  defigning 
*  perfons  are  accuilomed  to  keep  one  eye,  and  fometimes 
«  both  eyes,  half  lliut  ?— -It  Is  a  fign  of  a  mental  weaknefs,  he 
*'  replied.* 

And,  in  effeft,  I  have  never  feen  an  energetic  man  who  was 
cf'afty.  Our  myiruji  of  others   ar'ijes^  from  want  of  confidence  in 

^urfelves^  ' 


vni. 


My  learned  friend  of  whom  I  am  fpeaking,  and  who,  in  his 
decilions  on  the  human  underftanding  and  its  productions,  is, 
in  my  opinion,  fuperlor  to  ten  thoufand  other  literary  judges, 
has  written  me  two  admirable  Letters  on  Phyfiognomy.  I  trufl: 
my  publifhlng  the  following  extracts  from  them  will  not  be  dlf- 
agreeable  to  him. 

*  I  lay  it  down  as  one  of  the  propofitions  which  cannot  be 

*  controverted;^  that  the  firft  impreffion  is  always  the  only  true 

*  one.' 

On  the  fuppofition,  however,  that  the  obje£ls  are  in  the  light, 
and  at  the  place  in  which  they  ought  to  be. 

*  In  order  to  maintain  this  pofitlon,  it  is  fufficient  for  m.e  to 

*  fay  that  I  am  convinced  of  the  fadl,  and  that  I  can  refer  for 

*  proof  of  it  to  the  general  feeling.     The  ftranger  who  appears 

*  to  me  for  the  firft  time,'  (and  who  excites  emotion  in  me)  *  is 
-*  to  my  fenfible  exiftence  that  which  the  light  of  the  fun  may 

*  be  to  one  born  bHnd,  who  has  recovered  fight*' 

F  4  <  Roiiffeau 


^8  I,AVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

*  RoufTeau  is  right  when  he  fays  of  D.     That  man  does  not 

*  at  all  pleafe  me,  and  yet  he  never  did  me  the  leail  harm  ;  butj 

*  before  it  comes  to  that,  I  mull:  break  with  him.' 


ix« 


*  Phyfiognomy  is  as  necefTary    (and  as  natural)  to  man  as 
*  language.' 


X. 


*  A  prince  cannot  fee  every  thing,  nor  always  ^Si  for  himfelf : 

*  he  ought,    therefore,    to   be  an  adept   in   the  knowledge  of 

*  mankind.     He   has  not  time  thoroughly  to  fmdy  the  people 

*  about  him  :  he  ought,  therefore,  to  be  deeply  Hciiled  in  Phy- 

*  fiognomy.     A  fmgle  glance  thrown  on  the  phyfionomy  of  a 

*  man,  gives  us  a  clearer  inlight  into  his  mind,  than  the  longell 
'  fludy  of  his  charafter.'     La  Beaumelle. 


^      ^      Tp 


XII.  Passages  of  the  Bible,  or  various  physiognomical 

THOUGHTS,  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES,  WITH 
SOME  REFLECTIONS,    SERVING  AS  A  PREFACE. 

Truth  is  alivays  truth ^  though  It  he  in  the  Bible  :  this  is  what  I 
■would  fay  to  defpifers  of  the  Bible,  who  may  read,  or  glance  at, 
or  pafs  over  this  Le6lure. 

All  truth  is  important  and  divine^  as  far  as  the  Bihle  conjirms  it  : 
this  i  fay  to  the  adherents  of  this  facred  Book,  to  thofe  whom  I 
would  wiik  to  eftablifli  in  their  veneration  for  the  fplrit  of 
Scripture. 


i,avater's  physiognomy.  79 

It  Would  be  needlefs  to  warn  cither  the  one  or  the  other,  that 
I  fhall  difpenfe  with  entering  into  details  and  making  combina- 
tions, it  not  being  my  intention  to  explain  here  paffages  from  the 
Bible. 

A  truth  un'iverfally  received  will  ever  remain  true,  propofe  or 
combat  it  who  will ;  and  it  ceafes  not  to  be  fo,  becaufe  that  at 
fuch  a  time,  and  in  fuch  a  place,  fuch  an  individual  applied  it  to 
fuch  a  particular  cafe.  Every  ivord,  not  only  of  Scripture,  but 
of  all  men  in  general-««-not  only  of  all  men  in  general,  but  aifo 
of  Scripture — every  ivord  ought  to  he  taktii  In  all  the  pofjlble  force 
of  its  fgnificalion,  ought  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  canon  of  reafon^ 
Avhen  the  queftion  is  refpefting  general propojitions^  which  have  a 
reference  neither  to  certain  connefticns,  nor  to  certain  circum- 
ilances,  nor  to  the  perfon  who  fpeaJis, 

The  ivhole  is  greater  than  its  part  :  he  ivho  exaUeth  himfelfJhaU  he 
humhled :  thefe  are  propofitions  which  fignify  all  that  they  can 
fignify  ;  that  is  to  fay,  every  new  caXe  to  which  you  can  Jtpply 
them,  confirms  aad  generalizes  them  Hill  more. 

The  more  things  a  word  embraces,  the  more  important  a  pro- 
pofition  is.  And  what  is  the  philofophick  fpirit,  if  it  be  not 
the  faculty  of  perceiving  a  great  number  Qf  particularities  in  the 
general,  and  the  whole  in  every  part  \ 

I  am  going  then  to  lay  before  the  Reader  fome  phyfiognomi- 
cal  paffages  of  the  Bible,  and  fome  analogous  Thoughts  which 
have  been  fuggeiled  to  mc  by  parages  entirely  foreign  to  my 

fubjecl. 


A. 


D  AV  I  r. 

,    *  Thou  haft  fet  our  iniquities  before  thee,   our  fee  ret  fTns 
*  in  the  light  ox  thy  countenance.''  ^'.*  xq»  8.—"  Underlland, 

*ye 


"Sd  latater's  physiognomy. 

*  ye  brutlfh  among  the  people  :  and  ye  fools,  when  will  ye  be 

*  wife  ?   He  that  planted  the  ear,  lliali  he  not  hear  ?  He  that 

*  formed  the  eye,  fhall  he  not  fee  ?  He  that  chaftifeth  the  hea- 

*  then,  ihall  he  not  correft-^?  He  that  teacheth  man  knowledge, 

*  ihall  not  he  know  V*    PL  xclv.  8,  9,  10. 

No  one  is  fo  intimately  convinced  of  the  divine  Omnifcience, 
no  one  feels  himfelf  fo  thoroughly  expofed  to  the  view  of  God 
and  of  Angels,  no  one  finds  the  av^rards  ,of  Heaven  fo  vifibly 
traced  on  his  countenance,  as  he  who  believes  in  Phyfiog- 
nomy. 

^       B. 

Jesus  Christ. 


u 


*  Which  of  you  by  taking  thought  can   add  one  cubit  unto 

*  his  ftature  ?  Wherefore  th^n  take  ye  thought  for  more  ? — Seek 

*  ye  firll  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteoufnefs,  and  all 

*  other  things  fhall  be  added  unto  you."  Matt.  vi.   27,  28,  $^. 

No  more  is  it  by  taking  thought  that  thou  wilt  change  thy 
£gure ;  but  the  amendment  of  the  interior  will  embelliih  alfo  the 
€xterior» 

Only  take  heed  te  what  is  within  thee,  and  thou  haft  nothing 
to  fear  for  the  outfide.  *  If  the  root  be  holy,  fo  likewife  will 
be  the  branches.' 


JU 


•^  When  ye  fail:,  be  not  as  the  hypocrites,  of  a  fad  counte- 

*  nance :    for  they  disfigure  their  faces,  that  they  may  appear 

*  unto  ;iien  to  faft.     Verily,  I  fay  unto  you,  they  have  their 

♦  revfard. 


LAVATERS     PHYSIOGNOMY.  8t 

*  reward.     But  tbxou,  when  thou  fafteft,  anoint  thine  head,  ai?d 

*  wa(h   thy  face;    that  thou  appear  not  unto  men  to  fall,  but 

*  unto   thy  Father  which   is  in  fecret  ;  and  thy  Father,,   wlio 

*  feeth   in  fecret,    fliall  reward  thee   openly.'     Matt.  vi.    i6. 

We  may  conceal  from  men  our  virtues  and  our  vices  ;  but 
neither  of  them  remain  unknown  to  the  Father  who  feeth  in 
fecret,  and  to  thofe  who  are  animated  by  his  Spirit — by  that 
Spirit  which  not  only  penetrates  into  the  depths  of  the  human 
heart,  but  even  into  the  deep  things  of  God. 

He  who  endeavours,  and  propofes  to  himfelf  as  his  end^  to 
make  what  is  good  about  him  appear  upon  hi§  face-— that  man 
has  already  received  his  reward. 


in. 


*  The  light  of  the  body  is  the  eye  :  if  therefore  tliine  eye  be 

*  fmgle,  thy  whole  body  fhall  be  full  of  hght.     But    if  thine 

*  eye  be  evil,  thy  whole  body  iliall  be  full  of  darknefs.    If  there- 

*  fore  the  light  that  is  in  thee  be  darknefs,  how  great  is  that 

*  darknefs  !''     Matt,  vi.  22,  23.     «  Take  heed  therefore   that 

*  the  light  which   is  in  thee  be  not  darknefs.     If  thy  whole 

*  body  therefore  be  full  of  light,  having  no  part  dark,  the  whole 

*  fliall  be  full  of  light,   as  when  the  bright  fhining  of  a  candle 

*  doth  give  thee  light.'    Luke  xi.  35,  36. 

Thefe  are  fo  many  phyfiognomical  truths  ;  nay,  they  are 
literally  fo.  A  found  eye  fuppofes  a  found  body  :  fuch  an  eye, 
fuch  a  body.  With  a  dark  look,  the' whole  body  will  be  under 
the  influence  of  a  gloomy  and  fallen  difpofition  ;  with  an  un- 
clouded brow,  all  the  parts  and  all  the  raoveraents  of  tlie  body 
win  be  pure,  cafy,  noble. 

if 


?2  LAVATER'S      PHtSlOGNOMt. 

If  the  eye  is  deflitute  of  light,  excepting  in  cafes  of  difeale 
zr.'l  accident,  the  whole  body  will  be  harih  and  rugged,  mourn- 
ful and  melancholy,  dull  ^rxd  heavy  as  the  darknefs  of  night. 

And,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  equally  true,  according  to  the 
rules  of  Phyfiognomy,  that  if  the  body  has  nothing  deranged, 
ofFenfive,  dark,  rude,  heterogeneous,  and  patched,  then  every 
thing  in  it  is  found,  then  all  is  harmony  ;  then,  llkewife,  every 
thing  around  thee  is  calmnefs  and  ferenity  ;  thou  viewert  every 
object  in  the  moll  advantageous  light ;  every  thing  prefentsilfelf 
under  a  new  afpe6l ;  ail  becomes  luminous. 

X.et  thine  eye  then  be  fmgle,  found,  and  impartial !  View 
every  objeft  for  that  which  it  is,  and  fuch  as  it  is,  without  add- 
ing, without  changing,  and  without  diminifliing. 


IV, 


**  And  when  he  fowed,  feme  feeds  fell  "by  the  way's  fide,  and 
^  the  fowls  came  and  devoured  them  up.     Some  fell  upon  ilony 

*  places,  where  they  had  not  much  earth  :    and  forthwith  they 

*  fprung  up,  becaufe  they  had  no  deepnefs  of  earth  :    and  when 

*  the  fan  was  up  they  were  fcorcbed  ;  and,  becaufe  they  had  not 

*  root,  they  withered  away.     And  fom.e  fell  among  thorns  ;  and 

*  the  thorns  fprung  up  and  choaked  them.     But  others  fell  into 

*  good  ground,  and  brought  forth  fruit,  fome  an  hundred  fold, 

*  fome  fixty  fold,  lome  thirty  fold.'    Matt.  xiii.  4 — 8. 

There  are  three  forts  of  ,perfons,  three  forts  of  phyfionomies, 
which  are  not  fufceptible  of  any  kind  of  cultivation.  In  fome 
the  feed  is  lofl,  and  becomes  food  for  the  birds  of  prey.  In 
others  it.  falls  on  a  ilony  Ibilj  which  has  not  a  fufficiency  of  earth 
or  of  flefn.  Or  elfe  it  has  to  encounter  evil  habits  which  choke 
ihe  good  grain.     But  there  are  alfo  faces  where  the  bones  and 

the 


LAVATER's    PHY  SlOG  NOIviY.  S3, 

tlie  flefh  are  of  fuch  a  nature  as  to  promife  a  plentiful  ci-op,  where 
every  thing  is  in  the  moft  perfeft  harmony,  and  where  there  is 
HO  reafon  to  fear  the  tares  of  evil  habit. 


V. 

*  Whofoever  hath,  to  him  fhall  be  given,  and  he  (liall  hav& 

*  more  abundance:  but  whofoever  hath  not,   from,  him  fhall  be 

*  taken  away,  even  that  he  hath.*     Matt.  xiii.  12. 

This  too  may  be  applied  to  ^ood  and  bad  phyfionomies.  He 
who  deviates  not  from  the  happy  difpofiticns  which  he  has 
received,  he  who  follows  them  up,  and  turns  them  to  good 
account — fuch  an  one  will  become  vifibly  ennobled  in  his 
exterior.  , 

On  the  contrary,  the  phylionomy  of  the  bad  man  vv^-ill  become 
worfe,  and  the  beautiful  traits  which  had  been  given  him  will 
difappear,.  in  proportion  as  he  confiinueato  degenerate  ;.  but  the 
durable  remains  which  may  always  be  traced  in.  the  folid  parts-, 
and  in.  the  contours,  will  prcfent  to  the  eyes  of  the  Obferver  the 
fad  monument  of  departed  greatnefs,  like  the  majeftic  ruins  of  a 
magnificent  edifice,  which,  even  in  a  ftate  of  decay,  exhibits  a, 
fpe^acle  at  once  venerable  and  humiliating. 


VI. 

*  Take  heed  that  ye   defpife  not  ong  or  thefe  little  one%  i 

*  for  I  fay  unto   you,  that  in  heaven  their  angels  do  alwavs 

*  behold  the  face   of  my  Fatliey  which  is  ia   heaven.     Matt, 
xviii.    10. 

The  Angels,  perhaps,  behold  the  face  of  their  heavenly  Father 
in  the  countenance  of  infants ;  they  trace,  perhaps,  in  their 
fimple  and  ingenuous  traits,  a  divine  expreflioB,  which  fhines  l^ke 
the  fparkiing  of  the  diamond.  ' 

VII,  *  There 


84  LAVATEP/S    PHY  SIOG  NOM-f . 


VII. 

*  There  are  fome  eunuchs,  v/nich  were  fo  born  from  their 

*  mothers*   wonnb :    and  there  are  fome  eunuchs,    which  were' 

*  made  eunuchs  of  men  :  and  there  be  eunuchs,  which  have  made 
'  themfelves  eimuchs  for  the  kingdom  of  Heaven's  fake.'  Matt, 
six.    12. 

There  can  be  nothing  more  philofophical  nor  more  exa6t 
than  this  claffilication.  There  are  perfons  born  with  a  charafter 
energetic,  continent,  fage,  amiable  :  theyftand  in  no  great  need 
of  affiilance :  Nature  feems  to  have  taken  the  care  of  their 
cultivation  upon  herfelf. 

There  are  alfo  faditious  perfons,  who,  by  dint  of  application, 
have  paffed  through  all  the  different  iiages  of  culture.  Among 
thefe  fome  are  entirely  fpoiled  :  others  grow  hardened  by  means 
of  unnatural  privations  and  facrifices  :  and,  finally,  others 
exerting  all  the  faculties  of  the  foul,  feizing  and  turning  to  good 
account  all  the  means  capable  of  forming  them,  arrive  at  a  fupe- 
xlor  degree  of  cultivation. 


vrii. 


'  Hear   and    underfland.      Not    that   which  goeth   into  the 

*  mouth  defileth   a  man,  but  that  which  cometh  out   of   the 

*  mouth,  this  defileth  a  man, — Do  ye -not  perceive,  that  what- 
<  foever  thing   from  wKhout  entereth  into  the  man,  it  cannot 

*  defile  him  ;  becaufe  it  entereth  not  into  his  heart,   but  into  the 

*  belly,  and  goeth  out  into  the  draught,  purging  all  meats. 
'  But  that  which  com^eth  out  of  the  man,  that  defileth  the  man/ 
Matt.  XV.  lo,  II.   'Mark  vii.  18,  19,  20. 

This  too  is  a  trut|i  in  Phyfiognomy.     Neither  external  acci- 
dents, uor  fpQts  which  may  be  epaged,  aor  wounds  which  may  be 

healed^ 


•L2yATBR.*S    PHY  SIOGNOBTY.  '  gj 

healed,  nor  e\en  the  deepefl  fears,  are  fufficient  to  defile  the  coun- 
tenance, to  the  eyes  of  the  Phyfionomiil ;  juft  as  there  is  no  paint 
which  is  capable  of  embeliifhing  it  :  were  you  even  to  whiten 
yourfelf  with  nitre,  and  fweeten  your  pcrfon  with  the  moil  exqui- 
fite  perfumes,  you  would  not  appear  the  lefs  hideous  ;  for  it  is  from 
the  heart  that  evil  thoughts^  ivhoredonif  adulter j^  impurity^  envyy. 
malice,  deceit,  calumny,  hatred,  and  murder,  pafs  into  the  features 
and  the  looks.  There  is  a  phyiionomical  as  well  as  a  reli- 
gious Pharifaifm  ;  and  to  examine  them  clofely,  they  are,  per- 
haps, but  one  and  the  fame  things  I  will  frequently  repeat,  P/zri- 
fy  the  interior,  and  the  oiitjlde  will  be  clean.  3e  good  and  eflimable, 
and  you  will  appear  fo.  What  a  man  is,  that  he  appears,  or, 
at  ieaft,  will  appear,  fooner  or  later^ 


IX. 


*  That  which  Is  highly  efteemed  amongil  men,  is  abomination 
fn  the  fight  ef  God.'     Luke  xvi.  15, 

There  are  fo  many  phyfionomies  which  refemble  m^hifedfepul- 
chres  :  the  bones  appear  not,  but  the  putrid  odour  of  the  flefh  and 
mufcles  penetrates  through  the  walls.  How  many  beauties  are 
idolized  by  the  vulgar,  which  make  the  Phyfionomiil  fiirlnk  back 
with  horror,  draw  tears  from  his  eyes,  or  kindle  his  indig- 
nation 1 

*  Ye  outwardly  appear  righteous  unto  men,  but  within  ye  are 

*  full  of  hypocrify  and  iniquity.'     Matt,  xxiii.^  28. 

*  Ye  fools,  did  not  he  who  made  that  which  is  without,  make 

*  that  which  is  within  alfo  V     Luke  xl.  40. 

And,  reciprocally,  he  who  made  that  which  is  within,  did  he 
not  make  that  which  is  without  alfo  ?  But  the  interior 
13  more  immediately  his  work.  The  man  who  is  pure  within,  wiJi 
be  fo  outwardly  like  wife  :  his  heavenly  origi«  will  be  painted  ia 
his  features. 

<  Give 


^6  LAVATEr's     P  HYSl'oGNOMr. 

'  Give  alms  of  fucli  things  as  you  have  :  and  behold  all  things 
*  are  clean  unto  you.'     Ver.  4.1. 

Be  pofTefTed  of  real  charity,   and  every   fenfible  heart    wiU 
become  a  partaker  of  it  together  with  you. 


X. 


*  Verily  I  fay  unto  you,  all  fins  (hall  be  forgiven  unto  the  fons 

*  of  men,aHd  blafphemies  wherewith  foever  they  fhall  blafpheme  : 

*  but  he  that  (liall  blafpheme  againft  the  Holy  Gh oil  hath  never 
'  forgivenefs,  but  is  in  darrger  of  eternal  damnation  :  becaufe  they 

*  faid.  He  hath  an  unclean  fpirit.'     Mark  iii.  28,  29,  30. 

To  mifunderlland  a  neighbour,  to  be  infenfible  to  the  candour 
which  his  phyfionomy  announces,  to  be  incapable  of  appreciating 
the  good  quahties  which  he  poiTefTes,  his  defire  to  oblige,  his  paci- 
fic character— is,  undoubtedly,  the   mark   of  great  hardnefs  of 
heart,  and  of  exceffive  rudcnefs  of  raanners  ;  he  who  is  capable 
of  this,  certainly  is  not  what  he  ought  to  be  :  his  error,  however, 
may  be  pardonable  :  an>l  this  was  the  cafe  of  thofe  who  blaf- 
phemed  the  Son  of  man  and  thofe  to  whom  the  humiliation  of  the 
Meffiah  was  an  offence.     But  to  be  fenfible  of  thefe  peifedlions, 
to  be  fenfible  of  the  Spirit  of  him  who  poifeires  them,  and  yet 
blafpheme  him — this  is  the  unpardonable  crime.     How  highly 
criminal  then  w^as  it    to  blafpheme  the  Spirit  of  Jefus    Chrift, 
which  uianifelled  itfelf,  and  was  fenfibly  felt  in  his  features,  as  in 
his  aS'wns  !     It  is  affuredly  alfo  high  treafon  againft  the  divine 
Majefty,  to  infult  a  phyfionomy  full  of  un£lion  and  intelligence  ; 
and   Vv'e  coijfidcr  as   a  general  leifon   that   exhortation  of  the 
Spirit  of  'V^^Mh.^'— Touch  not  mine  anointed ;  and  do  my  prophets  no 
harm, 

Ke  who  disfigures  a  pifture  of  Raphael,  without  having  any 
knowledge  of  its  ijierit,  is  a  blockhead  or  a  madman ;  but  the 
man  who  uaderftanda  its  value,  v/ho  feels  its  beauties,  and  yet,  i» 

fpite 


LAVATEa's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  S/ 

fpite  of  that,  cuts  it  in  pieces — you  yoUrfelf  wiH  give  bim  his  pro- 
per appellation. 


XI. 

*  Ye  judge  after  the  flefli,  I  judge  no  man/     John  viii.  15. 

They  judged  according  to  the  flefh,  and  faw  not  the  fpirit  of 
the  face.  They  faw  the  Galilean  only,  and  not  the  man  :  they 
condemned  the  vian  on  account  of  the  Galilean.  It  was  not  thus 
that  Jefus  Chrift  judged.  It  is  not  thus  that  the  Sage,  that  the 
Phyfionomift,  the  friend  of  humanity,  judges  He  confiders 
neither  drefs,  nor  ornaments,  nor  badges  of  honour  ;  he  regards 
the  perfon  abftrafted  from  name,  celebrity,  authority,  riches — it 
is  the  man  as  he  is  in  himfelf,  It  Is  his  form  that  he  examines,  that 
he  appreciates,  and  that  he  judges. 


C. 


SAINT    PAUL, 


I. 


♦  A  little  leaven  leaveneth  the  whole  lump.'     Gal.  t.  9. 

The  fmalleft  mixture  of  malignity  frequently  fpoils  the  whole 
phyiionomy.  A  fingle  difagreeable  feature  is  fufficient  to  make  a 
caricatura  of  the  whole.  A  fingle  oblique  trait  in  the  mouth  ot 
an  envious  perfon,  of  a  cheat,  of  a  mifer,  of  a  hypocrite,  or  of  a 
farcaftic  fneerer,  has  fomething  fo  difguftful  in  it,  fo  venomous, 
that  it  frequentl  Tmakes  us  forget  what  is  otberwife  interefttng, 
apd  really  good        fhephyfionomy. 

I  G  *  Whatfoever 


.AVATEr's    P  HYSIOGNOivTY, 


II» 


*  Whatfoever  a  man  fowetb,  that  fliall  he  alfo  reap.     For  he 

*  that  fovveth  to  hisflefli,  (hall  ofthe  flelh  reap  corruption  :  but  he 

*  that  {oweth  to  the  Sph-it,  fhall  of  the  Sph'It  reap  HFe  cver- 
«  iaftlng.'     Gal.  vLy,  8. 

This  is  what  the  Phyfionomift  has  daily  opportunity  to  obferve 
and  to  confirm  by  experiment.  Every  intention,  every  aftion  is  a 
feed  ;  and  fuch  as  is  the  feed,  fuch  will  be  the  harveft.  The 
a<^ions  ofthe  mind,  of  the  heart,  and  of  fenfibility  retrace  on  the 
phyfionomy  of  the  man  the  chara6ler  of  his  immortahty  :.  the 
aftions  of  the  flelh  and  of  fenfuality  leave  behind  tbem  the  marks: 
his  m.ortality. 


III. 


*  The  foolilhnefs  of  God  is  wifer  than  men  ;  and  the  weaknefs 

*  of  God  is  llronger  than  men.  For  ye  fee  your  calling,  brethren, 

*  how  that  not  many  wife  men  after  the  flefn,  nor  many  mighty, 
<  nor  many  noble,  are  called.     But  God  hath  chofen  the  foolifh 

*  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wife  ;  and  God  hath  chofen 

*  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  mighty  ;  and  bafe 

*  things  of  the  world,  and  things  which  are  defpifed,  hath  God 

*  chofen,  yea,  and  things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to  nought  things 
that  are  :  that  no  flelh  ihould  glory  in  his  prefence,'     i  Gor.  i« 

2-5— 29. 

It  Is  not  the  tall  ftature  of  an  Eliah  or  of  a  Saul  which  is  well 
pleafing  in  the  fight  of  God  :  for  the  IuOkvi  feeth  not  as  manfeeth. 
But  how  many  neglc£led,  defpifed,  oppreffed  phyfionomies  are 
there,  which  bear,  neverthelefs,  the  imprefs  of  their  eledlion  ! 
Multitudes,  of  men  whom  no  one  accounted  beautiful,  are  fuch, 
however,  in  the  eyes  of  Heavfen.  There  is  not  a  fingle  one  of 
the  favourites  of  God,  howeyer  difadv^intagcous  his  figure  may 

be, 


layater'spkysiognomy,  89 

be,  whofe  face  does  not  vlfibly  emit  a  ray  of  the  Divinity.  We 
have  ah-eady  faid,  no  perfon  is  fo  ugly  as  not  to  be  capable  of  be- 
coming amiable  and  interelling  by  fenfibllity  ;ind  virtue.         ^ 


IV. 

*  Know  ye  not  that  your  body  Is  the  temple  of  the  Koly 

*  Ghoft,  which  is   in  you,  which  ye  have  of  God  ?'     i .  Cor« 

*  vl.  19. — *  If  any  man  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  Ihall  God 

*  deftroy  :  for  the  temple  of  God  is  holy  ;  which  temple  ye  are.' 
Chap.  iii.  17.—'  jDeftroy  not  him  for  whom  Chrift  died.' 
Rom.  xiv.  15. 

Refpe6t  for  humanity  is  the  moll  folid  and  the  only  foundation 
of  all  virtue.  Is  it  poilible  to  confer  higher  honour  on  the  body  of 
man,  than  to  call  it  the  temple  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  fanEluary 
from  njuhich  the  DrSinity  delivers  his  oracles  P  What  can  be  faid  more 
forcible,  in  defcribing  the  depravation  of  this  body,  than  to  call 
it  a  profanation,  a  lacrilege,  an  outrage  committed  upon  the 
image  of  the  Divinity^ 


y. 

J  conclude  with  this  remarkable  paffage,  taken  from  the  ninth 
chapter  of  the  Epiille  to  the  Romans. 

*  The  children  being  not  yet  born,  neither  having  done  any 

*  good  or   evil,  that  the  purpofe  of  God,  according  to  election, 

*  might  (land,  not  of  vi'orks,  but  of  him  that  calieth.  It  was  faid 

*  unto  her,  The  elder  fhall  ferve  the  younger.     As  it  is  written, 
«  Jacob  have  I  loved,  but  Efau  have  I  hated.     What  fhall  vve  fay 

*  then  ?   Is  there  unrighteoufnefs  with  God  ?  God  forbid.     For 

*  he   faith  to  Mofes,  I  will  have  mercy  on  whom  I  will  have 

*  mercy,    and  I   will     have     compallion     on     whonj    I      will 

*  have     compaffion.      So      then     it      is     not      of     him     that 

*  willeth,  nor  of  him  that   runneth,  but   of  God  that   fhcweth 

*  mercy.     For  the  Scripture  faith  unto  Pharoah,  Even  for  this 

*  fame  purpofe  have  I  raifed  thee  up,  that  I  migh;  fhew  my  pow- 

G  2  *  er 


9®  LAVATEr's    P  H  YSlOGNOM-y. 

*  er  in  thee,  and  that  my  name  might  be  declared  throughout  all 
^  the  earth.     Therefore  hath  he  mercy  on  whom  he  will  bavc 

*  md'cy,  and  whom  he  will  he  hardeneth.     Thou  wilt  fay  then 

*  unto  me,  Why  doth  he  yet  find  fault  ?  For  who  hath  refilled 

*  his  will  ?  Nay,  but,  O  man,  who  art  thou  that  replieft  againfl 
^  God  ?  Shall  the  thing  formed  fay  to  him  that  formed  it,  Why 

*  hall  thou  made  me  thus  ?  Hath  not  the  potter  power  over  the 

*  clay,  of  the  fame  lump,  to  make  one  vefTel  unto  honour^  and  ano- 

*  ther  unto  diihonour  r  What  if  God,  willing  to  Hiew  bis  wrath, 

*  and  to  make  his  power  known,  endured  with  much  long  fuffer- 

*  ing  the  veffels  of  wrath,  fitted  to  deftru6lion  r  and   tbat    he 

*  might  make  known  the  riches  of  his  glory  in  the  veffcls  of  his 

*  mercy,  which  he  afore  prepared  unto  glory.' 

Let  no  perfon  be  alarmed  at  this  paffage.     An  injudicious  and 
ill-informed  mind  alone  can  be  Hartled  at  any  thing  it  may  pleafe 
God  to  fay  and  to  do.     Is  it  pofilble  for  us  to  apprehend,  from 
the  bell  of  Beings,  adions  or  w^ords  which  are  not  fupremely 
good  ? — Once  for  aU,  differences  mull  exiil  among  men,  and  it  i^ 
impofTible  to  explain  thefe  differences  either  by  reafonings  or  by 
hypothefes.     Some  have  been  favoured  with  refpe6l  to  figure, 
and  others  treated  rather  unkindly.     Some  are  endowed  with  ex- 
'  traordinary  talents  ;  fome  have  had  for  their  portion  a  very  con- 
tra6led  underflanding.     The  difference  depended  entirely  on  thq 
fovcreiofn  will  of  God,  and  he  is  not  accountable  for  his  condudl 
to  any  one.     There  are  perfons  of  a  gentle  and  good  difpofition, 
juil  as  there  are  others  whofe  charader  is  perverfe  and  intra6lablc. 
As  in  fociety,  riches  coiJd  not  exid  without  poverty,  fo  likewife 
there  could  be  no  elevation  of  rank  without  a  correfponding  me- 
<liocrity.     Whereverthere  is  fuch  a  thing  as  relation,  and  recipro- 
city, there  muft  of  necefTity  be  differences,  inequalities,  oppofi- 
tions,  and  contrails.    But,  at  laft,  every  one  of  us  fhall  be  fatiafied, 
toth  with  himfclf,  and  with  every  one  dfc,  \i  he  has  done  what  dc2- 
pended  upon  him  to  contl^ibute  to  the  advancement  of  his  own 
happinefs,  and  of  that  of  his  fellow  creatures.     Imperfeftions 
,could  not  pofilbly  have  been  the  end  which  God  propofed  to  him- 
/elf ;  and  this  is  what  the  Apoftle  announces  in  the  conclufionof 
jjis  dhfcourfc. 

«  Goa 


lavater's  physiognomy.  9t 

■    '  God  hath  concluded  them  all  in  unbelief,  that  he  might  have 

*  m€rcy  upon  all.     O  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wifdom 

*  and  knowledge  of  God  !  How  unfearchable  are  his  judgments, 
'  and  his  ways  pall  finding  out  !  Foe  who  hath  known  the  mind 
'  of  the  Lord,  or  who  hath  been  his  counfellor  ?  Or  who  hath 

*  flrft  given  unto  Him,  and  it  Ihail  be  recompenfed  unto  hin; 
'  again  ?  For  of  Him,  and  through  Him,  and  to  Him,  are  all 

*  things  :   to  Him  be  glory  for  ever.     Amen.' 

^  %   ^  % 

XIII.  Passages  pf  the  Bible,  to  serve  as  a  Source  oE' 
Consolation  to  those  whose  Physionomy  has  been, 
wilfully  degraded. 

My  Brother,  thy  face  is  changed,  and  the  depravity  of  thy 
heart  is  painted  on  thy  forehead.  The  fight  of  thy  own  counte- 
nance fiUeth  thee  with  horror.  Shame  and  remorfe  are  preying  oa 
the  marrow  in  thy  bones.  Baniihed  to  the  filence  of  thy  clofet, 
Itretched  on  thy  bed,  to  v/hich  lleep  is  a  ftranger,  thou  art  con- 
ftrained  to  reflecl  on  the  wretchednefs  of  thy  condition  ;  thou 
feeleft  thyfelf  unworthy  of  the  approbation  and  applaufe  bellow- 
ed upon  thee  by  the  partiality  of  friendfhip  ;  thine  indignation  is 
roufed  againll  thyfelf,  and  thou  calleil  to  remembrance,  with 
fighs,  the  innocence  and  fimplicity  of  thy  youth.  Defpair  not, 
however,  my  Brother  1  There  is  help  for  thee  :  let  it  reanimate 
thy  courage.  However  debafed  the  features  of  thy  face,  there  is 
pot  a  fingle  one  but  what  it  is  in  thy  power  to  amend  and  en- 
noble. 

Thou  wert  not  delllned  always  to  remain  an  innocent  child,  nor 
couldefl;  tliou  :  by  iiumbling  and  falling  thou  wert  to  be  iniLru<ft- 
ed  how  to  walk  and  run. 

Wert  thou  wounded  and  bruifed,  wert  thou  plunged  into  the 
abyls,  there  is  an  arm  nigh  thee,  which  is  able  to  raife  thee  up, 
'to  ftrencrthen  and  heal  thee. 


£> 


G  3  When 


92  LAVATEP.'s    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

When  I  read  the  writings  of  thofe  who  have  had  the  mod  de» 
lightful  experience  of  the  aid  of  this  almighty  arm,  my  foul  is 
filled  with  joy,  and  I  adore  in  filence.  Though  they  were  men 
like  ourfeives,  expofed  to  temptation,  frequently  hurried  into 
dreadful  deviations  from  the  right  path,  given  up  to  pride,  or  bu- 
ried in  indolence  ;  though  they  were  apoftates  from  the  faith, 
and  blafphemers,  the  powerful  hand,  of  which  I  fpeak,  has 
wrought  deliverance  from  them,  fometiraes  by  tearing  afunder  the 
veil  which  prejudice  and  error  had  fpread  over  their  eyes  ;  feme- 
times  by  breaking  in  pieces  the  chains  of  paflion  in  which  they 
were  held  captives  :  this  is  what  they  teflify,  and  which  would  be 
true  without  their  atteftation.  Let  our  heaits  expand  them  to  the 
confolations  which  God  addreffes  to  us  by  their  mouth,  and  let 
thefe   hearts  rejoice!   "Thou,"    Father  of   the   fpirits  of   all, 

*  hail  poffelTed  my  reins  :  thou  haft  covered  me  in  my  mother's 
womb.'     Pf.  cxxxix.  13. 

*  Behold,  I  am  the  Lord,  the  God  of  all  Hefh  ;  is  there  any 
thing  too  hard  for  me  :*     Jer.  xxxii.  27. 

*  He  doeth   according  to  hia  will  in  the   army   of   heaven, 

*  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  ;  and  none  can  flay 

*  his  hand.'     Dan.  iv.  35, 

*  Beyond  a  doubt  *  thou  canfl  not  make  one  hair  of  thy  head 

*  white  or  black.'     Matt.    v.  3. — *  For  a  camel  to  go  through 

*  the  eye  of  a    needle — with  men  this  is  impoffible,  but  with 

*  God  all  things  are  poilible.'     Chap.  xix.  24326V 

'  Even  the  3'outh  fhall  faint  and  be  weary,  and  the  young  men 

*  fhall  utterly  fall.     But  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  fhall  re- 
'  new  their  ftrength  :  they  fhall  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles, 

*  they  fhall  run  and  not  be  weary,  and  they  fhall  walk  and  not 

*  faint.'     Ifaiahxl.  30,  31. 

*  Every  kind  of  beafts,  and  of  birds,  and  of  ferpents,  and 
<  things  in  the  fea,  is  tamed,  and  hath  been  tamed  of  mankind.' 
Jam.  iii,  7. 

And 


LAVATER.  S    PH  Y  SIO  GNOMY.  93 

And  is  it  impolllble  for  the  Almighty  to  tarae  the  favage  heart 
of  man,  and  to  reftore  the  features  of  his  degraded  phyfionomy  ? 
Is  it  impoffible   for  Him,  who  *  is  able  of  thefe  ftones  to  ralfe 

*  up  children  unto  Abraham  V     Matt.  iii.  9. 

*  Who  hath  made  man's  mouth  ?  cr  who  maketh  the  dumb,  or 
^  deaf,  or  the  feeing,  or  the  blind  ?  Have  not  I,  the  Lord.?' 
Exod.  iv.  1 1 , 

Ke  who  formed  the  heart  of  a  man,  and  who  knows  his  works, 
he    « fhall  wafh  thee,-  and  thou  Tnalt  be  whiter    than    fnow.' 

Pf.  li.  7. 

*  The  king- s  heart,'  and  that  of  the  fubjefl:,  *  is  in  the  hand 
'  of  the  Lord,  as  the  rivers  of  water  ;  He  turneth  it  whitherfo- 

*  ever  he   will.— It  is  God  that  girdeth  mc  with   ftrength  ;  he 

*  maketh  my  feet  like  hinds  feet. — He  taketh  away  the  heart  of 
«  flone,'  and  putteth  in  its  place  *  a  heait  of  flefli." — He  feweth 
not  *  a  piece  of  new  cloth  on  an   old   garment,  and  putteth  not 

*  new wine  into  old  bottles/     Mark  ii.  21, 22. 

He  puts  not  the  mafic  of  virtue  on  a  depraved  countenance. 
He  operates  on  the  invi^ard  man,  on  what  ilill  remains  good,  that 
the  good  may  fpread,  and  abforb  what  is  evil  ;  for  tares  never  be- 
come wheat,  and  what  he  has  begun  he  finifheth. 

*  Every  branch  that  beareth  fruit,  he  purgeth  it,  that  it  may 

*  bring  forth  more  fruit.'     John  xv.  2. 

*  He  cleanfeth  his  church  with  the  wafhing  of  water,  that  he 

*  might  prefent  it  to  himfelf  a  glorious  church,  not  having  fpot  or 

*  wrinkle,  or  any  fuch  thing.'     Eph.  v.  26,  27. 

And  he  who  cleanfeth  you  is  a  man  whom  *  it  behoved  in  all 

*  things  to  be  made  like  unto  his  brethren  ;  that  he  might  be  a 
^  merciful  and  faithfnl  Hidi  Prieft.  For  in  that  He  himfelf  hath 
^  fuffered,  being  tempted.  He  is  able  to  fuccour  them  that  are 

G  4  I  tempted,* 


94  LAVATER'S      PHYSIOGNOMY. 

*  tempted.*  Heb.  il.  17,  i^.-^ 'But  fee  that  you  defile  not  again  that 
nvhich  God  hath  cleanfed. 

Such,  my  Brother,  are  the  confolatlons  acldreffed  to  thee  by 
the  Spirit  of  Truth.  Do  not  go  to  reply,  with  an  ironical  tone, 
that  I  am  preaching  :  that  reproach  would  be  no  mortification  to 
me.  I  am  a  Minifter  of  the  Gofpel,  and  am  juil  as  little  afhamed 
of  appearing  in  that  chara6ler  in  my  I^ecfcures  on  the  Phyfiono- 
my,  as  in  my  pulpit  at  Zurich.  Religion,  to  me,  is  Phyfiognomy, 
and  Phyfiognomy,  in  its  turn,  enters  into  P^eligion.  It  difcovers 
by  the  form  and  the  rnien,  the  goodneis  of  the  man  of 
worth,  and  che  perverfity  of  the  wicked  ;  it  is  the  triumph  of  vir- 
tue over  vice,  of  that  which  is  divine  over  that  which  is  contrary 
to  God  r  it  exhibits  fm  deilroyed  by  grace,  and  mortality  fwal- 
lowed  up  of  life  :  it  indicates    '  whether  v>fe  are  renewed  in  the 

*  fpirit  of  our  mind  ;  and  have  put  on  the  new  man,  which,  after 

*  God,  is  created  in  righteoufnefs  and  true  holinefs/  Eph.  iv.  23, 
24.— This  is  my  Religion  and  my  Pliyfiogn'omy.  If  our  body  be 
the  Lord's — if  our  bodies  be  the  members  of  Chrifi-*-if  he  'who  is  joined 
unto  the  Lordy  is  one  Spirit  with  Him — what  then  is  Phyfiognomy  ^ 
What  is  it  not  ? 


^        7^      ^F 


XIV.       K^MPF. 

I. 

*  Might  not  Phyfiognomy  be  compared  to  a  mirror  in  the 
*  hands  of  an  ugly  woman  i"  And,  I  would  add,  in  the  hands  of  a 
handfome  one  too. 

If  a  Conno'iTear  were  to  make  us  fenfible  of  the  excellence 
and  the  value  of -a  picture  in  our  poiTcilion,  would  we  not  prize  it 
more  bighlv,  and  -.jreferve  it  more  carefully  ?  Let  Phyfiognomy  be 
to  us  as  a  mil  r.-r  ;  we  will  canfult  ihis  mirror  with  attention  ;  and, 
aided  by  ij.,  wul  caucuvour  to  correct  the  faults,  and  improve  the 

beautieti 


lavater's  physiognomy.  95 

beauties  of  cur  face.  No  one  unlefs  he  is  a  fool,  is  capable  of 
contemplating  his  ovvi\  rorm  in  this  mirror  with  an  infipid  felf- 
complacency,  and  of  wilfully  deceiving  himfelf.     If,  after  having 

*  beheld  his  own  face ,  he  goeth  his  way,  and  ftraightway  forget- 

*  teth  what  manner  of  man  he  was,'  (Jam.  i.  24.)  it  is  only  a 
new  proof  of  his  folly. 

Let  this  Science  be  to  us  a  pi6lure,  in  which  we  fee  traced 
both  the  dig^nity  of  our  nature  and  the  glory  of  our  deftination  : 
confidered  in  this  light,  would  we  negkil  a  pi6:ure  fo  interelling  ? 
Would  we  not,  on  the  contrary,  take  a  very  particular  care  of  it, 
and  anxioully  guard  againft  every  accident  which  might  injure  it  ? 
Nothing  is  more  calculated  to  preferve  us  from  degradation  and 
depravity  than  the  knowledge  of  our  own  value.  Be  under  no  ap- 
prehenflcn  that  this  knowledge  may  miniller  fuel  to  vanity  and 
pride  ;  it  will  infpire  only  that  noble  felf-efteem  which  elevates 
and  ennobles  the  foul,  wliich  nourifhes  a  fenfe  of  honour,  and  Hi* 
mulates  to  the  performance  of  great  adlions. 


II. 

*  Every  temperament,  every  chara£ler,  has  its  good  and  its  bad 

*  fide.     One  man  has  capacities  which  are  not  to  be  found  in  ano- 

*  ther,  and  the  gifts  of  Nature  are  variouily  allotted.     Gold  coin 

*  is   more   valuable   than  filver,  but  the  latter  is  more  commo- 

*  dious  for  the  purpofes  of  common  life.  The  tulip  pleafes  by  its 
*"  beauty,  the  carnation  is  grateful  to  the  f;:ieil  ;  v^^ormvi-o-^H  is  a 

*  plant  of  no  very  pleafing  appearance,  it  is  offenfive  both  to  the 
'  nofe  and    to  the  palate,  but  it  poffeffes  virtues  which  render 

*  it  invaluable  : — and,  in  this  manner,  every  thing  contributes  to 

*  the  perfection  of  the  whole.* 

*  For  the  body  is  not  one  member,  but   many.     If  the  foot 

*  fhail  fay,  Becauie  I  am  not  the  hand  I  am  not  of  the  body  :  is  it 
«  therefore  not  of  the  body  ?  And  if  the  earfliallfay,  Becufe  I  am 
<  not  the  eye,  I  am   not  of  the  body  ;  is  it  therefore  no:  af  the 

*  body  ?  If  the  whole  body  were  aa  eye,  where  were  the    heai  =• 

*  ifl^ }  If  the  whole  were   hearing,  vvhere   were  tut  fnieUing  i 

*>  But 


96  L  A  V  A  T  E  Ps.'s      P  K  Y  S  I  O  G  N'  O  M  Y« 

I 

-^  But  now  liath  God  fet  the  members  every  one  of  them  in  the 

*  body,  as  it  hath  pleafed  Him.  And  if  they  were  all  one  member, 

*  where  were  the  body  ?  But  now  are  they  many  members,  yet  but 

*  one  body.     And  the  eye  cannot  (bj  unto  the  hand,  I  have  no 

*  need  of  thee  :  nor  again  the  head  to  the  feety.1  have  no  need  of 
'  you.  Kay,  much  more  thofe  members  of  th^  body,  which  feem 

*  to  be  more  feeble,  are  neccfiary ;  and  thofc  of  the  body,  which  we 

*  think  to  be  lefs  honourable,  uponth'efe  we  bef^owmore  abundant 

*  honour,  and  cur  uncomely  parts  have  more  abundant  comeli- 

*  nefs.     For  our  comely  parts  have  no  need  :  but  God  hath  tem- 

*  pered  the  body  together,  having  given  more  abundaRt  honour 
'  to  that  part  which  lacked  :  that  there  iliould  be  no  fchifm  in 

*  the  body ;  but  that  the  members  (hould  have  the  fame  care  one 

*  for  another.     Cor.  xii.  24. — Only  *  let  every  one  continue  iu 
"  tiiat  vocation  to  which  God  hath  called  him.'— 

The  carnation  m.uil  not  pretend  to  be  a  tulip,  nor  the  finger  to 
be  an  eye.  The  feeble  muft  not  cherifh  the  ambition  of  thrufling 
into  the  fphere  of  the  flrong.  Every  one  has  his  peculiar  fphere, 
as  well  as  his  peculiar  form.  To  attempt  an  efcape  from  your 
proper  fphere  is  equally  abfurd  as  attempting  to  place  your  head 
on  another  man's  flioulders* 

For  a  man  to  tranfcend  the  bounds  of  his  condition,  to  afpire 
at  being  Vv'hat  he  is  not,  is  to  fm  againft  himfeif,  and  againfl  the 
order  of  nature  ;  yet  nothing  is  more  common  than  the  commif. 
fion  of  this  lin.  I  fom.etimes  amufe  myfelf  with  the  thought,  that 
the  moft  part  of  our  tranfgreffions  arc  phyf,,onomical  adulteries. 
Men  do  not  perceive,  do  not  prize,  do  not  love,  and  do  not  cul- 
tivate what  they  poffefs,  and  what  they  are.  They  torm.ent  them- 
felves  in  llrugglingto  get  out  of  their  fphere  ;  they  intrude  into 
that  of  others  ;  there  they  feel  themfelv^s  out  of  their  proper 
place,  where  they  degenerate,  and  the  iffue  is,  they  turn  out  no- 
thing at  all  ;  that  is  to  fay,  neither  what  Nature  made  them,  nor 
what  they  prepoftcroufly  endeavoured  to  make  themfelves. 

III. 

*  Such  is  the  activity  of  our  nature,  as  we  have  reafon  to  be- 
'  lieve,  that  after  the  revolution  of  lefs  than  one  year,  there 

*  fcarcely    , 


lavater's    physiognomy.  97 

*  fcarcely  remains  a   fingle  prirtlcle  of  our  former  body  ;  and, 

*  neverthelefs,  v^^  perceive  no  manner  of  change  in  our  diipofition^ 
«  notwithftanding  all  the  variations  through  which  the  body  has. 
^  pafFcd,  from  difference  of  air  and  alinnent.     Difference  of  aiu 

*  and  manner  of  Kving  change  not  the  temperament.' 

The  reafon  of  it  is,  that  the  fundamental  bafis  of  the  chara6ler 
goes  much  deeper  than  all  this  ;  it  is,  in  a  variety  of  refpefts,  in- 
dependant  of  all  accidental  influence.  Tnere  probably  exiils  a 
fpiritual,  immort?i  texture,  with  which  all  th:.t  is  vifible,  corrup- 
tible, tranfitory  about  us,  is  interwoven.  Or  elfe  there  is  to  be 
found  in  the  interior  agent  of  humaa  nature,  a  certain  elaftic 
force,  which  is  determ.ined  by  the  matter,  as  much  as  by  the  con^ 
tours  of  the  limits  of  the  whole  ;  a  certain  individual  energy,  €x- 
tenfive  or  iiitenfive,  which  no  exterior  influence,  which  no  acci- 
dent, is  able,  radically  or  efTentially  to  change,  and  which  cannot 
poiTibly  iofe  any  thing  of  its  conftituent  chara6ter. 


IV. 

*  Naturally,   certain   perfons  have,   fomething   fo   great    and 

*  fo  noble  in  their  afpect,  that  the  momiCnt  the;^  are  feen,they  fill 

*  the  beholder  with  refpe6i:.     It  is  not  a  harfli  conftraint  which 

*  beftows  this  air  of  greathefs  ;  it  is  the  etfe6l  of  a  concealed 

*  force,  which  fecures,  to  thofe  who  haveit,  a  decidsd  fuperiority 

*  over  others.    When  nature  imprints  on  the  forehead  of  any  one 

*  this  air  of  greatnefs,   flue  defines  him,  by  that  very  thing  to 

*  command.     You  feel  in  him   a  fecret  power,  which  fubdue* 

*  you,  and  to  which  you  mud  fubmit,  without  knowing  "where- 

*  fore.     With  that  rmjc?d'c  exterior,  one  reigns  as  a  Sovereign 

*  among  men.'     Oracle  of  Gratian,  Maxim  42* 


This  air  of  greatnefs,  of  dominion,  this  decided  fuperiority, 
which  no  one,  can  miftake,  this  innate  dignity,  has  its  feat  in  the 
look,  in  the  contour  and  form  of-the  eyelids  :  the  nofe,  in  this 
cafe,  is  almoil  always  very  bony  near  the  root  ;  it  is  likewife 
fomewhat   arched,  and  its  contour  has  i.o.metbing  extraordinary. 

Recoiled, 


lavater's  physiognomy. 


Recoiled,  to  be  convinced  of  this,  good  portraits  of  Henry  IV. 
of  Ltwis  XIV.  of  Bayard,  of  Van  Dyk,  and  others. 


*  There  are  only  four  principal  kinds  of  look,  which  are  all  very 
*  different  from  one  another  :  that  is  to  fay,  the  look  is  lively,  or 
\  *  drcwfyy  orjixedf  or  vague,^ 

To  make  proof  of  a  general  propofition,  it  is  fufficient  to  exa- 
mine if  it  can  be  applied  to  particular  cafes.     Refer  every  phyfi- 
[  Gnomical  alTertion  to  the  face  of  one  of  your  friends,  or  of  your 
enemies,and  you  will  foondlfcovervs/^hat  degree  of  truth  or  fallhood 
the  remark  contains,  and  how  far  it  is  precife  or  vague.     Let  us 
make  an  experiment  on  the  obfervation  which  I  have  quoted,  and 
we  (hall  fee,  v^'ith  certainty,  that  a  great  number  of  looks  cannot 
be  comprehended  under  thefe  four  general  denominations.    Such, 
for  example,  is  the^^-r^K^  look,  fo  widely  different  from  the  Uvelyy 
and  which  neither  is,  nor  ought  to  be,  {o  f.xed  as  the  melancholy 
\  look,  nor  fo  'VGgue  as  ihcfangmne.  Such  is  likewife  a  glance  at  once 
^-xf^and  rapid,  which,  if  I  may  ufe  the  expreffion,  feizes  and  pene- 
trates objcfts.     There  is  another  look  which  Is  at  the  fame  time 
calm  and  agitated,  without  being  either  phlegmatic  or  choleric.     It 
were  pollible,  if  I  am  not  miffaken,  to  imagine  a  more  happy  claf- 
ifificatlon  of  looks  than  that  of  our  Author  ;  to  divide  them,  for 
example,  into  active,  mto  pajfive,  and  into  fuch  as  have  both  thefe 
qualities  at  the  fame  time  ;  into  intenfive  and  txterifive  ;  attradtivcy 
repulft'^e^  and  indifferent  ;  tenfe,  relaxed,  2cs\^  forced  ;  expreffive,  and 
inexprejfive  \  tranquil,  permanent,  "ZXi^S.  carelejs  ;  open,  and  referved ;  ^ 
Jlmple,  and  compound ;  dindy  and  rambling  ^  cold,  and  amorom'j 
foftyfirm,  boId,Jincere^  &c. 


LECTURE 


LECTURE'    V. 


9M9BB9 


ffHYglOtOG'iCAL      MISCEI.LANIES* 


I.     Of  the  Temperamehts. 

A  MINUTE  detail,  a  difTertation  in  form  upon  the  Tempera- 
ments, will  probably  be  expe6led  in  this  work  ; — but  fuch  expec- 
tation will  be  difappointed.  Haller  and  Ziramermann,  Kcsmpf 
and  Oberreit,  have  bellowed  a  thorough  invelligation  on  thisfab- 
}e6t  ;  and  a  multitude  of  authors  from  Ariftotle  down  to  Huart, 
from  Huart  to  Boehmen,  and  from  Boehmen  to  Lawaz,  have  faid 
fo  much  of  it,  that  it  feems  entirely  exhaulled  ;  I  fhall  therefore 
only  glance  at  it  by  the  way. 

As  every  one  of  us  has  his  proper  form,  and  proper  phyfionomy, 
fo  alfo  eveiy  human  body,  or  rather  every  body,  in  general,  is  com- 
pofed,  according  to  fixed  rules  of  different  ingredients,  homoge- 
neous and  heterogeneous  :  and  I  cannot  doubt  for  a  fingle  inftant, 
if  I  may  be  allowed  the  expreflion,  that,  in  the  great  magazine  of 
God,  there  ejiiils,  fk>r  every  individual^  a  formula  gf  preparation,  a 

fpfir.uij 


ICO    •  LAV'ATER'S    P  H  Y  S  I  0  G  N  O  M  T- 

"ipecial  oidonance,  A^ick  determines  the  duration  o^  his  lifcjr  the" 
fpecies  of  his  fenfibility  and  aftivity  :  hence  it  follows  that  every 
body  has  its  proper  individual  tempei'ament,  its  peculiar  degree  of 
irritability  and  elafticity.     It  is  equally  inconteftabie,  that  humidi- 
ty and  drynefsf  heat  and  coJcl^  are    the  four  principal  qualities  of 
body  ;  juft  as  it  is  certain  that  thefe  qualities  have  for  their  bafis, 
luater  and  earthy  jire  and  ah\     From  hence   naturally  arifeybar 
ptincipal  Temperaments  :  the  choleric^  in  which  heat  predominates  ; 
the  phlegmatic^  in  which  humidity  prevails  ;  the  fanguhie^  where 
there  is  moft  air  ;  and  the  melancholic^  u'here  earth  has  the  afcend- 
ant :  in  other  Vv'ords,  the  predominant  clement  is  that  of  which 
n'ioll  particles  enter  in  the  compolition  of  the  mafs  of  blood  and 
nervous  fluid  ;  and  it  is  in  this  laft  part,  efpecially,  that  they  are 
converted  into  fubilances   infinitely  fubtile,  I  may  fay  volatile. 
Bat  in  admitting  all  thefe  propofitions,  it  wiillikewife,  I  hope,  be 
granted  me,  jfr/?.  That  thefe  four  principal  ingredients  being  fuf- 
ceptibie  ©f  endiefs  change  and  combination,  there  muil  thence  re- 
■fult  a  great  number  of  temperaments,  whofe  predominant  princi- 
ple it  will  be  frequently  difficult  to  diilinguifh  ;  efpecially  when  it 
.is  confidered,  that  the  concourfe  and  reciprocal  attraction  of  thefe 
ingredients   may    eafily   produce,    or  detach,  a  new  power,  of  a  • 
chai-a£ler  totally  different.     This  new  denom^inating  power  may 
be  fo  varied,  fo  complicated,  that  no  one  of  the   received  deno- 
.minations  can  be  adapted  to  it. 

Secondly^  Another  obfervation  of  much  more  importance,  and 
to  which  ftill  lefs  attention  is  paid,  is,  that  there  exiils  in  Nature 
a  great  number  of  elements,  or,  if  you  will,  of  fubflances,  which 
may  enter  into  the  compofition  of  bodies,  and  which  are,  proper- 
ly fpeaking,  neither  water,  nor  air,  nor  fire,  nor.  earth  ;  fubflances 
of  which,  ufually,  too  lietle  account  is  made  in  our  Theories  of 
the  Temperaments,  and  which,  neverthelefs,  occupy  a  very  effen^ 
tial  place  in  Nature.  Such  are,  for  exam.ple,  oily  mercury ,  ether ^ 
the  ek&ric  matter,  the ?nagneticjluid,  (I  forbear  to  mention,  toge- 
ther with  thefe,  fubflances  purely  hypothetical  ;  fuch  as  the 
pinguid  acid  oiyieytr,  the  frigorific  matter  of  Schmidt,  ihejixed  air 
of  Black,  the  «/ir(5z/j-^/r  of  the  Abbe  Fon  tana.)  Suppofing  only 
three  or  four  of  thefe  nev^'  elements- — and  there  may  be  hundreds^ 
far  which  we  have  nQt  yet  found  names — fuppofing,  I  fay,  only 

three 


LAVATERS      PHYSIOGNOMY,  !OI 

tliree  or  four  of  them,  how  many  new  general  clalTes  of  tempera- 
ments will  they  not  produce,  and  what  a  multitude  of  fubdivi- 
fions  will  enfiie  ?  Why  not  an  oily  temperament  as  well  as  a 
watery  ?  an  ethereal  as  well  as  an  aerial  ?  a  mercurial  as  well  as  a 
terreftrial  ? 

How  many  remarkable  compofitions?  or  fubllantial  forms,  are 
produced  from  the  phkgijTic  matter  of  Stahl  alone  f  Subftances 
oily,  biluminous,  rejtnous,  glut'inous,  milhy,  gelatinGus,  buttery  or greafy, 
cheefy^joapy,  ivaxy,  cctmpljorons, pkoj])horky  fu'phurousy  &c.  and  of 
all  thefe  fubilances,  there  is  not  a  fingle  orie  v/hich  dught  to  be 
confounded  with  the  others,  each  having  its  particular  properties 
snd  efte6lsj  as  well  in  Nature  as  in  Art.  To  the  fubllantial  forms 
above  mentioned  we  might  flill  addj  the  metallic  compofition  orfcrmy 
with  the  different  fpecies  which  are  fubordinate  to  it  ;  for  it:  has 
been  long  ago  decided  that  the  mafs  of  cur  blood  contains 
ferruginous  particles.  Earth  alone,  for  example,  how  many  forts 
of  falts  does  it  not  contain  ?  Of  confequence,  the  denominatioa 
of  the  lerreilrial  .temperament,  or  the  faline  temperament,  pre- 
fents  only  a  very  vague  idea,  feeing  falts  differ  from  one  another 
as  much  as  heat  and  cold,  feeing  there  is  fuch  a  prodigious 
diftance  between  the  acid  and  the  alkaline  fait ,  the  two  general  fpe- 
cies which  form,  or  which  compofe,  all  the  others. 

It  appears  to  me,  therefore,  that,  in  order  to  arrive  at  aji  exact 
knowledge  of  the  TemperamiCnts,  as  well  in  Phyfiognomy  as  in 
Medicine,  it  would  be  proper  to  lay  open  for  ourfelves  a  more  di- 
re£t  and  eafy  route  than  that  which  has  hitherto  been  purfued  ; 
it  would  be  neceffary,  lefs  or  more,  to  renounce  the  ancient 
diIlin<3:ions,  and  to  eilablifh  new  ones,  which,  from  being  more 
numerous,  would  only  be  fo  much  the  clearer  and  more  accurate- 
Whatever  be  the  interior  nature  of  the  body,  v/hatever  be  the 
matter  of  which  it  is  compofed,  tts  organization,  the  coniiitution 
of  its  blood,  \t^  nervous  fyllem,  the  kind  of  life  to  which  it 
iis  deftined,  the  nourifhment  it  receives — the  refult  of  all  this  never 
prefents  more  than  a  certain  degree  of  irritability  and  elajlicity^  after 
a  given  point.  Thus  juil  as  the  elafticity  of  the  air  differs  accord- 
ing to  its  temperature,  and  cannot  be  determined  by  an  internral 
aaalyfis,  but  o»ly  by  t^ie  degrees  of  its  adivity— it  might  be  pof- 

/  "  fible, 


102  I^AVATER'S     PHYSIOGNOMY. 

lible,  if  I  am  not  miflaken,  to  employ  the  fame  opefation,  m 
order  to  afcertain  the  Temperaments  of  the  human  body.  Their 
internal  analyfis  is  impoffible,  or,  at  leaft,  extremely  difficult  ^  but 
the  refult  of  the  fubllances  of  which  they  are  compofed  is  always 
pofitive,  and  marks  a  certain  degret  of  irritability^  after  a  gh^en  point 
of  irritation. 

Thefe  reflections  induce  me  to  believe  that,  by  means  of  baro 
metrical  and  thermometrical  eftimates,  it  might  be  pofiible  to  de- 
termine all  the  temperaments,  with  much  greater  facility  and 
cxadnefs  than  has  hitherto  been  done,  in  following  the  ancient 
claffification.  This  laft,  however,  fhould,  at  the  fame  time,  be 
preferved,  but  only  for  cafes  in  which  it  were  impoffible  to  adopt 
a  pofitive  degree  of  irritability  or  non-irritability — cafes,  for  ex- 
ample, in  which,  in  the  compofition  that  is  at  prefent  denominated 
melancholic,  the  degree  of  irritability,  in  one  and  the  fame  objeciV, 
ihould  never  rife  above  temperate,  and,  in  the  choleric  compofition^ 
fhould  never  fall  below  temperate. 

As  to  the  four  coiiimon  temperaments,  their  irritability  might 
likewife  be  confidered  after  the  marked  effedls  which  refult  from 
them,  after  the  propenfity  which  makes  every  one  in  particular 
prefer  the  high  or  the  lo^j)^  ({iflci'iice  or  proximity.  Thus  it  is  that 
the  r^o/mrtemperament  ever  aims  at  rifing  :  fearlefs  of  danger,  it 
takes  a  daring  flight.  More  timid,  on  the  contrary,  the  melancholic 
digs,  explores  to  the  bottom  :  it  loves  the  folid,  and  cleaves  to  it. 
They^wzo-«/«^  launches  into  a  diftant  region,  and  isloftin  cndlefs 
wandering.  T\iQ; phlegmatic  thinks  neither  of  rifing  nor  firrking, 
nor  of  diftant  profpefts  j  he  attempts  only  what  he  can  obtain 
quietly  and  without  effort,  only  what  is  within  his  reach  ;  he 
makes  choice  of  the  fhorteft  road  in  perambulating  the  contracted 
horizon  which  he  has  traced  out  for  himfelf,  and  will  feldom  make 
one  ftep  beyond  the  abfolutely  neceffary. 

Could  the  temperature  of  the  human  body  be  determined  like 
that  of  the  air,  we  fliould  apply  ourfelv^s  to  afcertain,  by  the  de- 
gree of  irritability,  the  effence  and  the  amount  of  each  temperav 
inent,  and  all  that  could  contribute  to  reader  the  knowledge  of  it 
more  ufeful  to  us, 

I  fee 


lAvater's    physiognomy.  203 

,/ 
I  fee  a  great  many  perfons  of  whom  it  would  be  impoflible  far 
me  to  fay  to  which  of  the  four  known  teraperameiilstlicv  belong  ; 
but  if  we  could  fettle  a  fcale  of  a  hundred  degrees,  for  the  fen- 
fibility  which  one  and  the  fame  given  objeft  might  excite,  I  would 
engage,  in  moil  cafes,  to  indicate,  after  accurate  obfervations, 
in  what  tenth  divifion  of  the  icale  fuch  or  fuch  an  individual 
ought  to  be  ranked. 

I  muft  always  infill  on  one  and  the  fame  given  ohjeSi,  and 
this  is  abfolutel);  neceffary ;  for  fince  each  temperament  has 
its  proper  irritability  in  the  higk,  in  the  /czy,  &c.  there  muft 
alfo  be  a  fixed  point,  to  which  they  may  all  be  compared  at 
once,  and  which  may  operate  upon  them  ;  juft  as  the  thermo- 
meter gives  accurate  indications,  only  from  its  always  remaining 
in  the  fame  place. 

Every  one  is  at  liberty  to  fettle  this  fixed  point  according  to 
his  own  pleafure. 

Ever)'  man  might  make  choice  of  himfelf,  for  the  thermome- 
ter of  the  temperaments  Xvhich  a6t  upon  him. 

In  ellimating  the  temperamentg,  or,  rather,  the  degree  of  irri- 
tability upon  one  and  the  fam.e  given  objedl,  two  things  are 
carefully  to  be  diilinguiflied  ;  a  monnentaneous.tenfion,,  and  the 
irritability  in  general;  or,  in  other  words,  the  phyfionomy  and 
\X\t  pathos  of  the  temperament. 

It  is  farther  to  be  obferved,  that  tlie  temperature,  or  the 
irritability  of  the  nervous  fyftetn  of  every  organic  being,  cor- 
refponds  to  contours  determinate  or  determinable  :  that  the 
profile  alone,  for  example,  prefents  lines  whofe  flexion  enables 
11$  to  fettle  the  degree  of  irritability. 

Ail  the  contours  of  the  profile  of  the  face^  or  of  the  humr.p. 
jsody  in,  general,    prefent  chara6ler:ilic  lines,    which  we 

Vol,  III.  '  H  ,  cc.-  :  ; 


I04  tAVATER  S    PHYSIOGNOMy, 

confidcr  at  leaft  in  two  different  ways  :    fir  ft,  according  to-  theif 
interior  naiurs'y  then,  according  to  their  pofition. 

Their  interior  natnre  is  of  two  forts,  Jlraight-,  or  curved  ;  tlie 
exterior  is  perpendicular y  or  ohUque.^  .Both  have  feveral  fubdi'- 
^iiions,  but  which  may  be  eafily  reduced  t^o  claffes. 

If  we  added  befides,  to  thefe  contours  of  the  profile,  fomc 
fundamental  lines  of  the  forehead,  placed  one  above  another,  i 
fhould  no  longer  doubt  of  arriving  at  the  capacity  of  deducing, 
from  them  the  temperature  of  every  individual  in  general,  the 
higheil  and  the  loweft  degree  of  his  irritability^  for  every  givere 
objedl. 

The  pathos  of  the  temperament,,  the  inftant  of  its  actual  irri* 
tation,  difcovers  itfelf  in  the  movement  of  the  mufcles,  which  i» 
always  dependent  on  the  coniUtution  and  the  form  of  the  indi- 
vidual. It  is  true-that  every  human  fece,  every  head,  is  fufcep- 
tible,  to  a  certain  degree^  of  all  the  movements  of  the  paflions  y 
but  as  it  is  infinitely  more  difficult  to  find  out,  and  to  determine,, 
this  degree  than  the  contours,  in  a  ftate  of  reft,  and  that  thefe 
laft  enable  us,  befides,  to  judge,  by  induction,  of  the  degree  of 
elafticity  and  of  irritability,  we  might  confine  ourfelves,  at  fet- 
Ung  out,  to  thefe  contours  albne,  and  even  fatisfy  ourfelves  witb 
the  line  of  the  face  in  profile^  or  the  fundamental  line  of  the 
forehead,  fince  the  head  is  the  fummary  of  the  whole  body^ 
and  the  profile,  or  the  fundamental  line  of  the  forehead,  is,  in 
its  turn,  the  fummai-y  of  the  head. 

We  are  already  fo  far  advanced  as  to  know  that  the  more  a 
line  approaches  to  the  circular  form,  and,  a  fortiori,  to  the  oval, 
the  more  repugnant  it  is  to  the  heat  of  the  choleric  tempera- 
ment :  that,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  a  more  or  lefs  certain  indi- 
cation of  this  temperament,  in  proportion  as  it  is  ftraight, 
oblique,  or  cut  ihort. 

Eleven 


220 


/  ■  \ 

tAVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY*  10^ 

£LEt£N  Profiles  of  Characters.    A. 

We  fpcke  a  litle  ago  of  charafters  formed  for  command  s  here 
Jire  four  profiles  which  furnifh  examples  of  this-  Notwithftandlng 
the  fmallnefs  of  the  defign,  fo  unfavourable  to  great  effect,  you 
find  in  thefe  faces  an  imprefs  of  fuperiority,  which  nothing  can 
tjfface.  Each  of  them'  is  deftined  to  rule,  and  his  form  alone 
calls  him  to  a  diftinguifhed  rank.  The  forehead,  which  is  the 
principal  feats  of  the  natural  faculties,  have  been  very  imperfeflly 
conveyed  in  thefe  four  figures,  and  even  weakened  in  the  three 
firft  ;  but  the  face  taken  in  whole,  fufficiently  indicates  fovereiga 
authority  ;  and  this  exprellion  is  confirmed  in  particular  by  the 
nofe,  efpecially  in  No.  2  and  4,  whofe  look,  befides,  is  fo  energe- 
tical : — I,  appears  to  have  mod  gentlenefs  and  weaknefs  ;  2,  moft 
firmnefs  and  cotirage  ;  3,  moil  circumfpeftion  ;  4,  moft  fenfe, 
dignity,  and  modefty. 

However  pitiful  may  be  the  manner  of  the  drawing,  the  con- 
tours of  No.  5,  6,  and  7,  ftill  prefent  charafters  fimilar  to  the  pre- 
ceding ;  No.  5,  has  not  the  fame  air  of  greatnefs  as  No.  6  and 
7,  but  he  has  rfo  much  the  more  ferenity,  reafon,  and  affability  : 
with  fuch  a  phyfionomy,  the  heart  is  fatisfied,  and  the  mind  per- 
forms, with  eafe,  all  its  wiflies.  The  form  of  the  face,  in  the 
whole,  and  efpecially  the  eye  and  the  nofe,  will  alv/ays  fecure  to 
No.  6  a  Majeily  truly  regal,  wiiich  no  portrait,  no  caricature  is 
able  to  deftroy.  The  augufl  forehead  of  7,  his  eye-brows,  pene- 
trating look,  energetic  nofe,  and  particularly  the  force  of  the  jaw, 
will  convince  every  beholder,  that  the  finger  of  God  marked  this 
face  with  the  manifeil  tokens  of  a  great  Prince. 

We  are  already  acquainted  with  No.  S,  9,  10,  and  i  i,from  tne 
firft  volume  :  this  is  the  place  to  examine  them  in  detail. 

8.  Every  thing  here  announces  \\it  phlegmatic  :  all  the  parts  of 
the  face  are  blunted,  flefliy,  rounded.  Only  the  eye  is  a  little  too 
choleric  :  and  if  the  eye-brows  were  placed  higher,  and  not  quite 
fo  thick  of  hair,  tb^y  would  be  fo  much  the  more  analogous  to 

H  2  the 


^^o ,  lavater's    physiogngmy* 

the'cliaracler.     This  pliyfionomy  does  not  belong  to  a  mind  altc*- 
gethcr  brutal :  I  fhould  rather  aicrlbe  to  it  a  certain  dep-ree  oF 
good  humour  and  a  retentive  memory.     To  complete  the  idea 
of  a  true  phlegmatic,  the  mouth  ought  to  be  more  open,  the  lips 
fofter  and  hanging, 

9.  Ycu  fee  at  once  the  choleric  man,  though  the  eyebrow  might 

be  thickep,  the  point  of  the  nofe  fharper  and  more  energetic,  the 

nollril  larger,    and  marking  a  flronger  refpiration.     The  look 

©ught  to  have  been  more  lively  and  animated ;.  in  its   prefent 

Hate,  I  confider  it  as  too  voluptuous.     The  forehead^  is  too  fine, 

and  has  not  protuberances-  fufficient.  In  pcrfons  violently  choleriCi 

the  globe  of  the  eye  is  prominent.  Thofeof  the  phlegmatic,  on  the 

contrary,  are  fofter,  more  blunted,  relaxed,  andlefson  the  ilretch. 

Viewed  in  profile    the  eye  of   the   choleric  prefents   contours 

~    violently  curved,  v*^hile  in  the  phlegmatic  they  are  fiightly  waved. 

It  is  to  be  underilood,  however,  that  thefe  figns  are  not  the  only 

chara£ierillic  ones  :  that  they  do  not  belong  exclufively  to  all 

-  choleric,  nor  to  all  phlegmatic  perrons  ;  but  it  is  impoflible  to 
have  them  without  being  either  choleric  or  phlegmatic.  A  under- 
lip  which  advances  is  always  the  indicatioa  of  this  la&  tempera- 

-  ment  j.  it  proceeds  from  a  fuperabundance,  and  not  a  poverty  of  hu- 
mours if,,  befides,  it  is  angulous,  and  llrongly  expreffed  (even  more 
than  in  thi?  profile)  it  becomes  the  mark  of  phlegm,,  mixed  with  a 
tin^ure  of  choler  ;  that  is  to  fay,  of  a  tranquil  humour,  which  is 
capable  of  giving  way  to  the  jfr/?  ehuUkions  of  choler.  If  the 
under-lip  is  foft,.  cut,  fhort,  as  it  were,,  and  pendant,  then  it  is  un- 
mixed phlegm.. 

10.  This  is  the  image  of  a  fanguins  chara61:er,  which  has  got 
tcMD  much  phlegm.  That  excepted,  the  eye,  the  forehead,  and  the 
nofe,.  are  in  perfedl  truth.  Without  being  too  arched,,  or  too 
liarfh,  or  too  contraded,  they  have  foftnefs  and  precifion  at  the 
fame  time.  The  mouth  too  is  fanguine,  and  difcovers.a  propen- 
iky  to  pleafiu'es.  I  obfi-rve  a  little  too  much  phlegm  in  tlic 
chin, 

u.  Tliat 


Ptyii'  JO  7. 


Vol.  in. 


221 


lavater's    physiognomy.  XO)^ 

II.  There  is  moll;  truth  in  the  profile  of  the  melancholic. 
That  look,  obftinately  deJ£(Stcdj  will  not  raife  itfclf  to  con- 
template and  to  admire  the  wonders  of  the  ftarry  firmament. 
One  dark  point  attaches  him  to  the  earth,  and  abforbs  all  his 
thoughts.  The  ]ip,  tlie  chin,  the  folds  of  the  cheek,  announces 
a  mind  gloomy  and  morofe,  which  never  expands  to  joy.  The 
whole  of  the  form,  and  the  furrows  of  the  forehead,  are  abfolutely 
repugnant  to  gaiety  5  every  thing,  even  to  that  long  lank  bair, 
adds  to  the  air  of  fadnefs  wbich  is  fpread  over  this  figure.  The 
nofe  muft  excite  a  fufpicion  of  a  kind  of  penetration  refpe6ling 
intricate  fubjedls.  There  are  melancholies  of  a  very  fanguine 
temperament.  Irritable  to  the  l^il  degree,  endowed  with  a  moral 
fenfe  the  moil  exquifite,  they  fufFer  themfelves  to  be  hurried  into 
vice  -:  they  deteft  it,  and  yet  have  not  fufficient  ftrengtb  to  refill:. 
The  fadnefs  and  dejeftion  to  which  they  are, a  prey,  are  depifted 
in  a  look  which  llrives  to  conceal  itfelf,  and  in  certain  fmall  irregu- 
lar wrinkles  which  are  formed  on  the  forehead..  And  whereas 
melancholies,  properly  fo  called,  have  ufually  a  cuftpm  of  fjiut- 
ting  the  mouth,  thofe  of  whom  I  fpeak,  always  keep  it  fomewhat 
open.  Melancholic  perfons  frequently  have  little  noftrils  :  rarely 
will  you  find  them  with  beautiful  and  well  fet  teeth. 

Four  Heads.     B. 

1.  Melancholk-f anguine i  if  we  judge  from  the  forehead  ;  phleg-- 
maticy  if  we  attend  to  the  mouth. 

2.  Choleric-melanchoUc,  to  judge  from  the  forehead  and  the  eye- 
brow. 

3.  Unmixed  phlegnj ;  the  forehead  and  eye  fupport  this  deci- 
iiQn^ 

4.  Phlegm-melancholic 

All  foreheads  of  the  form  of  i  .have  a  fund  of  melancholy  or  fad- 
nefs which  is  frequently  occafioned  by  fentiments  of  Love  : — 2, 
&ud  3^ approach  pretty  near  to  It.  The  upper  part  of  the  nofe  i,  has 
morefirm.nefs  than  the  other  three  :  that  of  4,  announces  mofl  fenfe. 

H  3  The 


loS  LAV'ATEr's    PHYSfOQKOMY. 

Tlie  open  mouths  of  i,  and  2,  difcpver  a  phlegm  which  fecQ'is  to. 
forii>  a  contrail  with  foreheads  fo  choleric.  The  whole  of  3,  de- 
notes a  feeble  character,  always  floating,  always  in  trepidation, 
and  difcouraged  by  a  mere  nothing: — 4,  is  a  man  of  fincerity, 
though  a  little  rough  :  his  converfation  i$  dry  and  laconic,  but 
you  may  confidently  reft  pn  what  he  fays.  The  under  part  of 
face  3,  is  extremely  fanguine ;  that  of  2,  has  a  determined  air. 
!]Eye  4,  is  at  once  choleric  and  melancholic.  I  would  allign,  iu 
general,  to  profile  i,  moft  obftinacy  5  to  3,  moft  flexibility  ;_to  4, 
mofl  iirmnefs. 


Four  Heads.    G, 

To  judge  of  them  according  to  the  ufual  method,  the  firfl  of 
thefe  faces  is  phlegmatic-choleric  ;  the  fecond,  fanguine-phlegma- 
tic ;  the  third,  phlegmatic-ianguine  ;  the  fourth,  choleric- 
melancholic  ;  but  how  little  is  conveyed  by  this  ennumera- 
tion  !  Thefe  reprefent  four  worthiefs  men  who  appear  to  accufe, 
before  ouv  Lord,  the  woman  taken  in  adultery.  Each  of  them^ 
in  his  way,  infpires  horror  by  his  air  of  malignity,  and  announces 
aH  unrelenting  difpofitioii,  which  is  not  to  be  mollified.  Let  every 
pne  who  reads  this  be  on  his  guard  againft  contracting  friendfiiip 
with  perfons  who  have  any  refemblance  to  them,  wretches  like 
thefe  are  loft  to  all  fenfe  of  moral  virtue  ;  and  you  for  whom  J 
write  are  not  fo.  Their  enjoyments  are  nothing  bu^  brutahty. 
They  have  fold  themfelves  to  dp  evil.  All  thefe  four  would  havjc 
given  their  fuftrages  to  condemn  Calas  to  the  wheel  :  the  fill]: 
with  a  ftupid  and  brutal  hardnefs  of  heart  ;  the  fecond  \yith  a 
fanguinaiy  phlegm  ;  the  third  yvith  a  fneering  indifference  ;  the 
fourth  with  an  obftinate  and  deliberate  cruelty.  Not  a  particle  of 
fenfibility  ;  no  tincture  of  compallion  ;  they  are  acceffible  on  nq 
flde.«-i^^'  i/je  'ZJuicLedj  thex  are  incorrigible* 


Foyn    Heaps.    D, 

T.  Phlegmatic-eholeric,  a  kind  of  half  underftanding  ;  one  af 
the  moil  trivial  of  phyfionomies,  the  eye,  and  part  of  the  nofe, 

tKccDted, 


6>  <S  G 


^zz 


voim. 


_LAVAT£r'3    PH  YSIOGK  OMY*  IO9 

.excepted.  This  is  an  mdalent  and  indifferent  fpedator.  One 
Single  t rifling  Idea  engfoffes  him  entirety,  abforb*  all  his  faculties, 
iiils  his  whole  brain  :  limited  to  that  only  objeA,  his  eye  perceives 
<and  embraces  it  with  tolerable  accuracy  and  diftinftnefsjbut  dwells 
for  ever  only  on  its  furface. 

2.  The  caricature  of  a  great  man  fanguine-choleric,  were  it  pof- 
ifible  for  the  original  of  this  head  ever  to  fmk  into  childifhnefs, 
this  is  nearly  the  mien  he  would  affume.  With  fuch  an  eye  brow, 
■fuoh  an  eye  examines  objedls  clearly  and  to  the  bottom.  The 
forehead  is  conftruded  for  depofiting  a  world  of  ideas  ;  attending 
%o  proportion,  the  nofe  is  a  little  tooobtrufe  below:  there  is  wit 

and  gaiety  in  the  mouth. 

3.  Three-fourths  phlegmatic,  the  atber  fourth  fangu in e-chqle- 
tIc.  The  mouth  and  under  part  of  the  face  balance,  or^  rather, 
.eclipfe  the  fmall  po*tion  of  good  fenfe  which  the  forehead  and  nofe 
j^'omifed. 

4.  A  charg£ler  dry,  terreftrial,  harfh,  infenfible  to  joy,  and  yet 
iiot  abfolutely  melancholic.  How  all  the  parts  of  the  face  are 
■blunted,  I  had  almoft  faid  pared  !  This  man  is  ever  doubting  and 
balancing :  he  reje6ls  every  thing  that  is  not  certain,  every  thing 
that  is  only  half-true,  every  thing  that  is  not  proved  up  to  demoa- 
Itration.  By  putting  his  wifdom  continually  on  the  ftretch,  he 
runs  the  riik  every  moment  of  playing  the  fool,  an.d  his  exceffive_ 
figidity  may  eafily  degenerate  into  tyranny. 


^ix  Heads.    E? 

I.  This  profile  reprefents  a  man  fingularly  judicious,  replete 
vith  calmnefs,  tafte,  and  gentlenefs,  and  yet  of  an  enterprizing 
character  ;  one  of  thofe  men  of  whom  you  ought  to  fay  nothing, 
and  with  whom  whole  volumes  might  be  filled.  Which  of  the 
temperaments  would  you  affign  to  him  ?  No  one,  I  fhould  anfwer  ; 
.and  yet  they  may  be  all  traced  on  that  phyfionomy.  The  nofe 
js  rather  choleric  j  it  is  likewife  a  little  fanguine,  as  well  as  the 

H  4  raouth  ; 


tEp  lavater's  physiognomy. 

mouth  ;  there  is  a  tindure  of  melancholy  in  the  eye  :   the  chill 
apd  the  cheeks  are  more  or  lefs  phlegmaLiC. 

2.  The  choleric-phlegmatic  evidently  predominates  in  this  cha^ 
rafter.  This  man  is  not  formed  for  voluptuous  enjoyment,  for 
the  epicurifm  of  the  fanguine,  neither  do  you  fee  in  him  the  ge- 
nius of  the  melancholic,  abforbed  in  profound  reveries:  nevjgr- 
tliflefs  the  contours  of  the  face  are  too  fliarp,  too  angulous,  to  ex- 
prefs  unmixed  phlegm.  He  cannot,  in  truth,  be  called  flupid  ; 
but  his  mind,  not  having  received  the  fmalleft  cultivation,  has  loil 
much  of  its  natural  force.  He  may  be  fmcere,  obliging^  benevo- 
lent, and  well-intentioned  ;  but  I  will  anfvver  for  it,  he  will  never 
be  fufceptible  of  much  tendernefs,  nor  of  great  delicacy  of  fentir 
ment.  In  the  ftate  of  weaknefs  to  which  he  is  reduced,  he  a6ls 
merely  as  a  machine  :  he  knows  nothing  of  order  in  condud; ; 
nothing  remains  but  the  fimple  mechanifm  of  his  departed 
energy. 

2,  There  is  nothing  fanguine  here.  The  whole  together,  how- 
ever, fuppofes  a  choleric  propenfity,  and  the  cavity  above  the  eye 
prera-<  s  melancholic  clouds.  I  think  this  man  muH  have  been  a 
good  labourer,  faithful  to  his  employer,  and  exaft  in  performing 
the  tailc  affigned  him.  With  a  charader  fo  firm,  and  fo  little  un- 
der the  dominion  of  any  one  temperament;  it  rec^uires  no  great 
effort  to  be  aiTiduous  and  orderly. 

4..  Here  is  a  face  which,  with  flrictnefs  qf  propriety,  may  be 
denonlinated  phlegmatic-fanguine.  This  forehead,  which  flopes 
fo  violently,  and  its  fmooth  contour,  are  ftrongly  allied  to  the  fan* 
guine  temperament,  but,  exaggerated  as  they  are  in  the  drawing, 
they  become  almoil  the  mark  of  obftinacy.  All  things  conlider-? . 
ed,  I  fbould  take  this  man  for  a  half  genius  :  I  ihould  affign  hini 
his  place  at  the  line  which  feparates  wifdom  from  folly,  The 
mouth  is  very  fimguine  ;  the  noit  is  fomewliat  lefs  fo  ;  and  the 
€yc,  in  other  refpeftsfprightly  enough,  would  have  the  fame  cha? 
}a<^er,  if  it  were  not  obfcured  by  a  tint  of  melancholy. 

^s  This  profile  is  of  a  fanguine  chara£ler  ;  but  ftill  this  d^fini- 
tjonis  of  no  ufe,  becaufe  there  is  here  a  concourfe  of  feveral  tem- 
peraments, 


Vnge  m. 


VoLIH. 


LAVATER'S     PHYSIOGNOMY,  ITX 

nT-enis.  I  will  add,  therefore,  that  the  original  of  this  portrait 
^nows  how  to  enjoy  life  as  a  wife  man  ;  if  he  does  not  in- 
troduce  refinement  into  his  pleafures,  he  at  kail  fliuns  excefs. 
The  turn  of  his  mind  fuppofes  more  foftnefs  than  harflinefs, 
m.ore  dignity  than  elevation  ;  a  firm  character  rather  than 
violent  paffions  ;  a  tranfient  vivacity  rather  than-  lading  refent- 
ment.  The  eye-brow  expreffes  very  well  what  is  choleric  in  this 
head;  the  eye  is  a  compofition  of  melancholy  and  phlegm,  and 
the  fame  mixture  appears  alfo  in  the  outline  extending  from  the 
ear  to  the  chin  ;  but,  in  the  whole  of  the  profile,  you  perceive  a 
fanguiae  ground>  heightened  with  a  tint  of  the  choleric. 

6.  On  the  fcore  of  temperament,  this  phyfionomy  Is  very 
difficult  to  charafterize.  It  is  too  ferious  for  the  fangulne,  too 
gentle  for  the  choleric,  too  open,  not  profound  enough  nor  fuS- 
ciently  furrowed  for  the  melancholic.  The  forehead  and  the  nofc 
promife,  beyond  all  doubt,  a  mind  which  refledls  maturely,  and. 
a£ls  with  prudence.  This  is  a  man  of  underftanding,  v^hom  no 
one  can  deny  to  have  talents  :  perhaps  he  will  produce  nothing 
new,  but  he  will  underftand  fo  much  the  better  to  choofe  to 
arrange,  and  to  combine  the  materials  which  are  at  his  difpofaL 
A  retentive  memory,  an  eaiy  elocution,  a  happy  choice  of  ex- 
preflion,  ardent  zeal  in  the  profecution  of  an  object— -thefe  arc 
the  qualities  which  feem  particularly  to  diftinguifh  phyfionomie* 
pf  this  fpecies. 

Six  Heads.     F» 

I.  This  Is  what  I  call  a  face  thoroughly  honfff,  but  whofe 
temperament  it  is  difficult  to  indicate.  The  founded  reafon  with- 
out genius  properly  fo  called  ;  a  tender  fenfibility,  clear  of  all  af- 
fe6tation  j  rectitude  founded  on  energy  of  charatier;  a  wifdom 
which  turns  to  good  account  every  leffon  taught  by  experience  ; 
ciearnefs  of  idea,  dignity  of  expreffioa,  coolnefs  and  vigour  wheit 
aiStion  is  neceffary,  modelly  without  puhllanimity — this  is  what 
you  fee  in  this  profile.  The  forehead  is  fanguine-phlegmatic  ; 
the  eye  and  the  nofe  choleric-fanguine  ;  the  mouth  fanguine-rae- 
lancholic  ;  the  under  part  of  the  face  phlegmatic-fanguine. 

2.  Here 


ii2  lavater's    physioonomy. 

2.  Here  a  phlegmatic  melancholy  has  the  afcendant.  This  is 
a  fullen  humour,  ilugglfh,  and  loth  to  yield.  The  melancholy  air 
of  this  face  proceeds  from  the  lengthened  form  of  the  upper 
part;  the  under,  flefhy  and  rounded,  indicates  a  foft  indolence  ; 
but  the  whole  promifes,  however^  a  calm  fpirit,  the  friend  of 
order  and  of  repofe,  and  the  enemy  of  eveiy  fpecies  of  confufion^ 
You  will  be  llruck  with  the  phlegm  of  this  chara.6lei,  if  you  pay 
attention  to  the  mouth,  and  to  th^  contour  extending  from  the 
car  to  the  chin  ;  its  melancholic  propenfity  is  altogether  as  dif- 
tinftly  expreffed  by  the  eye,  and  by  the  nofc  jutting  over  thefc 
thick  lips.  The  nofe^  taken  apart,  announces  much  judgment 
and  reflexion. 

3.  A  decided  propenfity  to  melancholy,  but  a  fpei^ies  of  me- 
lancholy which  I  fliould  be  tempted  to  denominate  that  of  De^ 
petration.  You  fee,  at  the  firfl  glance,  that  this  is  not  an  ordinaiy 
man.  The  flight  choleric-phlegmatic  tint,  which  you  difcover  ir; 
his  phyfionomy,  is  abforbed  by  the  melancholic  tone  of  the 
whole.  Fear  and  diilruft  are  the  principal  affedlions  of  an  orgar 
nization  fo  religious  ;  pardon  me  the  expreifion.  A  nofe  like 
this  is  the  mark  of  a  gentle  energy,  and  of  cpnfummate  pru- 
dence. The  eye  and  the  mputh  denote  a  man  fit  for  the  cabinet, 
capable  of  tracing  a  plan,  and  of  calculating  the  refult.  Nature 
did  not  form  him  for  enterprizes  which  demand  great  bodily 
ftrength,  but  difpofed  his  mind  to  feel,  with  exquifitefenfibility, 
i.-. telle 6iual  beauties,  and  particularly,  calmly  to  relifti  thofe  whof? 
reality  he  know^  by  experience, 

4.  We  fhould  be  warranted  in  faying  that  the  temperament 
before  us  is  very  phlegmatic,  very  fanguine  ;  we  ihould  have  quite 
as  much  reafon  to  fay  that  it  is  choleric,  and  even,  to  a  certain 
point,  melancholic.  If  the  copy  be  exaft,,the  original  of  thi^ 
portrait  is  not  a  great  genius  ;  but  neither  can  he  be  an  ordinary 
man,  and  ftill  lefs  a  little  mind.  The  forehead  inclines  to  a  chokr 
ric-fanguine  difpofition,  infinitely  happy,  and  modified  by  a  flight 
infufion  of  phlegm.  The  fame  holds  as  to  the  nofe  and  the 
mouth  ;  the  under  part  of  the  face  is  phlegmatic-fanguine.  A 
calm  and  manly  eloquence  flows  from  thefe  lips»    The  eyes  are 

tod 


LA^ATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMy.  HJ 

too  vaguely  defigned  to  be  in  harmony  with  the  forehead  :  they 
do  not  fay  all  that  this  perfon  would  wiih  them  to  exprefs.  With 
fuch  a  phyfionomy,  the  proprietor  ranft  necefiarily  be  a  man  of 
probity. 

5.  The  profile  of  one  of  the  mod  folid  and  refpeclabie  mc^ 
with  whom  I  am  acquainted,  and  who  is  at  once  melancholic, 
choleric,  phlegrnatic,  and  fanguine.  The  melancholic  principle, 
which  predominates  in  this  temperament,  makes  him  exquifitely 
quick-lighted  to  the  flightefl;  Imperfe€lion  ;  but  if  ever  he  is  ri- 
gid to  excefs.  It  is  rather  in  fpying  and  cenfuring  faults  in  himfelf, 
than  in  others.  Such  firmnefs  an^  moderation-r-fuch  clearnefs  of 
finderftanding  and  energy  of  charafter-^fo  much  feverity,  corre^- 
fd  by  fo  much  gentienefs-r-a  contempt  fo  decided  for  the  vanities 
pfthe  world,  and  at  the  fame  time  fo  jultan  eflimation  of  the  in-*-- 
nocentpleafuresof  life— that  implacable  hatred  of  vice, and  that  ten- 
der affetlion  for  the  perfon  of  the  viciousr—on  one  hand,  a  dignity 
of  reafon,  rifing  above  prejudice;  on  the  other,  a  philofophic  tole- 
rance, conforming  itfelf,  withcondefceniion,  to  receive  modes  and 
pradtices—- All  this  fuppofcs  the  happieft  mixture  of  the  four 
jemperaments,  and  is  a  further  confirmation  of  one  of  my  favou- 
vite  pofitions.  That  melancholy  and  phlegm  are  Indirpenfabiy  ne- 
ceffary  to  genius  and  true  greatnefs.  In  the  profile  before  us,  the 
charadler  of  the  eye  is  melancholic,  and  that  of  the  mouth  me- 
lancholic :  a  difference,  which,  hovyever,  does  not  in  thp  Icall  m^ 
|;he  harmony  of  the  whole. 

6.  You  will  bedifpofedto  rank  this  face  among  thephlegmatles. 
The  mouth,  a  little  too  foft,  compared  with  the  other  features, 
and  the  rather  relaxed  contour  of  the  chin,  v/oiild  jullify  your  clal- 
fificatioti.  But  then  what  will  you  fay  of  the  forehead  and  the 
nofe  ?  Would  you  expect  the  calmneis  and  energy,  the  wifdon^ 
and  firmnefs  which  they  exprefs,  from  a  character  governed  by  ^ 
predominant  phlegm  ?  or  elfe,  to  which  of  the  other  three  te:n- 
peraments  will  you  exclu|ively  refer  thefe  qualities  ?  It  is  an  em- 
barrafiing  queilion.  So  much  wifdom  belongs  not  to  the  choleric 
man  ;  the  melancholic  Is  fcarcely  capable  of  fuch  a  degree  of  le- 
renity  ;  and  the  fanguine  is,  ufually,  lefs  folid.  If  you  are  (o  for* 
lunate  as  to  fall  in  with  a  pian  ivliofe  forehead,  nofe,  and  eye- 

bicw5^ 


114  lavater's  physiognomy. 

brows,  are  in  fuch  perfect  conformity— -ftand  ftill,  accoft  him 
refpedlfully,  and  intrcat  his  permiffion  to  apply  to  him,  when 
you  have  occafion,  for  his  good  advice. 


Four  Heads.     G. 

I,  A cboleric-fanguine  temperament,  and  fomewhat  inclined  to 
phlegm..  The  lower  part  of  the  profile  announces,  beyond  the 
polSbility  of  being  millaken,  the  choleric  charaSter^ — a  will  that 
muft  be  abeyed,  a  mind  prompt  toform  defigns,  a6live  in  conducting 
them,  impatient  to  behold  the  accomplifiiment.  The  fanguine 
part  is  charafterized  by  the  nofe  and  by  that  forehead,  fo  rich 
in  ideas,  fo  qualified  to  view  objects  in  their  true  light,  and  to 
embrace  them  in  all  their  extent.  The  under  part  is  phlegma- 
tic-fanguine^  With  an  organization  fo  energetic,  fo  productive, 
the  man  is  called  to  aCt,  and  will  fucceed  in  the  higheft  fphere 
of  aCtion :  he  is  difpofed  to  minifter  to  the  happinefs  of  all 
around  him  ;  but  in  order  to  be  happy  himfelf,  he  mull  fecure 
the  attachment  of  friends  of  a  fanguine-phlegmatic  temperament 
and  of  a  fp  rightly  humour, 

2.  Here  we  have  a  fanguine-phlegmatic  temperament.  The 
combined  whole  of  this  beautiful  phyfionomy  announces  a  man 
cf  courage  :  the  contour  of  the  nofe  indicates  a  deliberate  firm^ 
nefs  ;  the  forehead,  foundnefs  of  underftanding  and  prefencc 
©f  nftind. 

This  is  the  judgment  I  pronouced  on  the  profile  z>  with- 
out knowing  the  original.  I  have  fince  been  informed  that  it  is 
the  Image  of  a  celebrated  man,  equally  diflinguifhed  by  his  ge- 
nius, his  actions,  and  his  moral  character  ;  of  a  man  who  em- 
ploys as  much  coolnefs  and  prudence  in  the  formation  of  hii 
plans,  as  warmth  and  energy  in  the  execution  of  them  ;  who, 
in  different  quarters  of  the  globe,  has  fignallzed  himfelf  by  his 
naval  exploits,  and  in  his  writings  has  treated,  like  a  fchoiar, 
every  branch  of  his  profeflion.  Add  to  this,  a  noble  difintereft* 
cdnefs,  an  extreme  fimpliclty  of  manners,  an  inexhauftible  fund 

©f 


Pnae  114. 


Voi.m. 


22(> 


LA?ATR*S     PHYSIOGNOWY.  II5 

«f  moderation  and  goodnefs, — and  it  mull  be  admitted,  thtit  he 
who  unites  fo  many  excellent  qualities  to  talents  fo  rare,  has  the 
moft  undoubted  claim  on  public  efteem,  and  the  appkufe  of  th« 
phyfionomift. 

3.  There  are  phyfionomies  which  one  would  be  tempted  to  de- 
nominate petrified.  They  are  detached  from  fociety,  they  interelt 
no  one,  participate  in  nothing,  are  fufceptible  of  nothing,  and 
withdifficulty  communicate  themfelves  to  others.  Firm  and  nn- 
fhaken,  perfons  of  this  fort  are  neither  good  nor  bad,  neither  fen- 
fible  nor  ftupid ;  they  may  be  faid  to  have  no  temperament.  But 
faces  fuch  as  thofe  I  fpeak  of,  are  infinitely  more  rare  in  real  life, 
than  in  works  of  art :  you  find  them  efpecially  in  copies  and  imi- 
tations, made  after  the  antique.  This  profile  furnifhes  an  example 
of  it.  Firmnefs  without  energy,  obftinacy  without  malignity, 
force  without  courage — thefe  are  the  obvious  charafteriilics  of 
this  profile  :  there  is  nothing  ignoble  in  it  ;  it  even  feduces  by  a 
certain  air  of  greatnefs,  of  fuperiority,  and  capacity — and  yet 
one  durft  not  anfwer  for  it,  that  it  poffefles  a  fingle  one  of  thefe 
qualities.  Every  thing  here  is  evidently  factitious  ;  half  natwe^ 
half  art,  I  know  not  what  to  make  of  it. 

4.  Here  is  one  phyfionomy  more,  vvhofe  charafter  is,  that  it 
has  none.  It  is  a  mixture  of  Nature  and  Art,  of  flefli  and  flone, 
of  great  and  infipid  traits  ;  in  a  word,  the  production  of  a  man- 
neriit  running  after  the  ideal.  Never  did  Nature  form  fuch  a 
forehead,  nor  fuch  eyes,  nor  fuch  a  nofe,  nor  fuch  hair.  All 
this  is  without  charader,  without  temperament  ;  and  were  vou 
even  to  take  the  lower  part  for  fanguine-phlegmatic,  what  would 
you  fay  of  the  nofe,  the  form  of  ^yhich  is  fo  elegant,  and  which 
ceafea  to  be  natural,  becaiiie  the  Painter  has  taken  pains  to  play 
the  mannerift  ?  On  thefirft  look,  this  figure  fuggefts  the  idea  of 
the  head  of  St.  John  ;  but  examine  it  clofely,  and  it  finks  'mx<i 
the  mere  maik  of  a  beautiful  countenance,  unmeaning  to  the  lait 
degree. 

I  feel  how  imperfed  ideas  are,  and  I  acknowledge  it  j  but  1 
was  u,n willing  to  repeat  what  others,  before  me,  have  faid  a  thou- 

fus<il 


1 1 6  L  A  V  A  T  E  R  '  S    P  H  Y  S  f  0  G  N  O  ivT  Y, 

fand  times.  I  will  only  add,  that  by  means  of  a  frontometet^ 
■we  (Kail  arrive,  I  hope,  at  the  capacity  of  finding,  for  all  objects 
in  general,  the  proper  figns,  the  contours,  the  lines  and  chara£ler  of 
irritability  ;  that  we  fhall  be  able  to  fix  the  relation  between  all 
the  contours  of  the  human  forehead,  and  all  other  forms  what- 
ever which  prefent  thcrafelyes  ta  our  eyesj  or  which  influence 
«ur  feeling. 

L.et  m.e  be  permitted,  finally  to  indicate,  in  a  ftw  >vordg^ 
fome  of  the  articles  which  are  iiiil  waiitlng  to  my  X^efture,  and 
to  propofe  fome  queftions,  the  folution  of  which  I  refer  to  the 
experience  of  'uj'>Je  and  g&)ti  men. 

1.  Is  man  able,  and  ought  he^  to  fubdue  entirely  his-  natural 
temperament,  or  labour  totally  to  deilroy  ill  is  the  cafe  of  our 
temperament  at  all  different  from  that  of  our  fenfes  and-  of  our 
members?  And  juft  as  every  creature  of  God  is  good  in  its 
principle,  is  not  every  particular  faculty  of  that  creature  good 
alfb  ?  Does  Religion  exa<£l  more  than  the  fhunning  of  excefs^ 
that  is,  the  moderating  of  fuch  of  our  defires  as  cramp  or  pre- 
vent the  exercife  of  other  ufeful  faculties  ?  Does  it  demand  more 
than  the  exchange  of  the  ohjeds  of  our  pajjlons  P 

2»  In  what  manner  ought  a  choleric  father  to  treat  and  dlre6l 
Bis  choleric  fon  ?  afanguine  mother  her  melan<;holy  da'jghter  ^ 
a  phlegmatic  friend  his  choleric  friend  ?  In  a  word,  in  what 
manner  ought  one  temperament  to  comport  itfelf  toward  another 
temperament  ? 

To  this  I  fhall  fucclnftly  reply,  that  the  eriablifhrnent  of  im- 
mediate relation&,  between  two  contrary  temperaments,  ought, 
as  much  as  poflible,  to  be  avoided  :  that  it  would  always  be 
proper  to  contrive  for  thcni  the  intervention  of  a  thlrdj-  to  ad  as' 
mediator, 

A  choleric  maji  ought  ne\rer  to  treat  with  another  cholenV 
pcrfon,  without  the  aid  of  a  phlegmatic-fangulne. 

The 


latater's   PHYSIOG  NQWr.  ITJ 

The  fanguine  will  injure  himfclf  by  forming  3  conne^lion  with 
one  equally  fanguinCi  A  temperament  very  choleric  will  fatigue 
the  phlegmatic,  till  he  is  completely  exhaufted,  by  exciting  m 
him  attention  too  violent.  Take  care  not  to  bring  together  the 
fanguine  and  the  melancholic  ;  and  place  not  this  laft  by  the  fide 
of  a  choleric  perfon,  without  fecuring  the  mediation  of  a  fan* 
guine  phlegmatic* 

3.  What  temperaments  afi*e  the  moft  p-edifpofing  to  friendiliip 
which  fuit  each  other  bed  in  the  married  ftate  ?  I  would  choofc 
the  fanguine-phlegmatic  for  the  matrimonial  union  :  the  chole- 
ric-melancholic is  moft  adapted  to  friendfhip*    - 

4.  Which  are  the  temperaments  that  cannot  immediately  fub* 
fift  together  ?  It  is  abfolutely  neceflary  that  the  choleric  fhould 
be  feparated  from  the  choleric,  but  each  of  the  other  tempera- 
ments may  agree  with  its  like* 

5.  What  can,  and  what  ought  to  be  demanded  of  each  tempera- 
ment ?  What  kind  of  employment  and  recreation  will  you  affigo 
it  ?  What  friends,  or  what  enemies  would  you  wifh  to  procure  for 
It,  in  view  of  either  exciting  or  reprefling  Its  paffiona  ?  I  will  not 
decide  the  queftion,  but  I  could  wilh  k  were  determined  by  con- 
noiffeurs,  who  have  ftudled  the  human  heart  more  profoundly  thaa 
I  have. 

6.  Is  there  In  the  fame  temperament  a  bad  quality  which  Is  not 
compeafated  by  a  good  one  ? — I  believe  not, 

7.  What  are  the  diftindlive  traits  of  th«  phyflonomy  for  each 
temperament,  In  different  ages  and  fexes  ?  The  melancholic  tem- 
perament gradually  hollows  and  contradls  the  features  of  the  face  ! 
the  fanguine  always  ihrivels  them  more  j,  the  choleric  bend«  and 
iharpens  them  ;  the  phlegmatic  flattens  and  relaxes  them* 


LEC 


LECTURE   VI. 


Of  the  Strength  And  Weakness  of  Constitution- 

WHAT  we  c^Jlrength  of  body,  is  that  natural  faculty  of  man, 
in  virtue  of  which  he  acts  powerfully,  and  without  effort,  upon 
another  body,  without  eafily  yielding  himfelf  to  a  foreign  impul- 
fion.  The  more  a  man  operates  immediately,  and  the  more  diffi- 
cult it  is  to  move  him — the  ftronger  he  is  ;  the  lefs  he  is  able  to 
operate,  andthelefs  refiftancehe  can  m.ake  to  the  fhock  of  another 
body—  the  more  weak  he  is. 

Strength  may  be  divided  into  two  forts  ;  the  one  cahn,  the 
effence  of  which  coniifts  in  immobility  ;  the  other  lively,  which 
has  motion  for  its  effence  j  that  is,  it  produces  motion  without 
yielding  to  it.  The  latter  may  be  excmpliiied  by  the  elallicity 
©f  the  fpring  j  the  former,  by  the  firmneis  of  therock. 

I  put  in  the  firil  clafs  of  ftrong  perfons  thofe  whom  you  may 
denominate  Herculefes,  in  whom  every  thing  announces  the  mod 
i'obuft  conllitution  :  they  are  all  bone  and  nerve  ;  their  ftature  Is 

lofty^ 


IAVATER's     FHYsioGNOMY.  llg 

lofty,  their  flefh  is  firm  and  c'ompa(fl ;  they  are  pillars  whicli  can- 
not be  moved. 

Thofe  of  the  fecond  clafs  are  of  a.  complexion  which  had  not 
the  fame  firmnefs,  nor  the  fame  denfity  ;  they  are  Icfs  corpulent 
and  maffy  than  the  preceding,  but  iheir  power  unfolds  itielf  in  • 
proportion  to  the  obllacles  which  oppofe  them.  If  you  ftruggl^ 
againfl:  them,  if  you  attempt  to  reprefs  their  aftivity,  they  ftand 
the  fhock  with  a  vigour,  and  repel  it  with  an  elaflic  force,  of  which 
perfons  the  rHoil  nervous  would  hardly  be  capable. 

The  natural  ftrength  of  the  elephant  depends  on  his  bony 
fyllom  J  irritated  or  not,  he  bears  enormous  burdens  ;  he  crufhes, 
without  effort,  and  without  intending  it,  whatever  happens  to  be 
in  his  way.  The  llrength  of  an  irrita:ted  wafp  is  of  a  very  differ- 
ent kind  ;  but  thefe  two  kinds  of  llrength  fuppofe  folidity  of  the 
fundamental  parts,  and  the  fame  folidity  in  the  w^hole. 

The  foftnefs  of  bodies  deflroys  their  llrength. 

It  is  eafy,  then,  to  form  a  judgment  of  the  primitive  Hrength 
of  a  rrian,  from  the  foftnefs  or  the  folidity  of  hi?  complexion. 
In  like  manner  alfo  an  elafcic  body  has  diflin6live  figns,  which 
prevent  its  being  confounded  with  a  body  non-elallic.  What 
a  difference  between  the  foot  of  the  elephant  and  that  of  the  flag, 
between  the  foot  of  a  wafp  and  that  of  a  gnat  I 

Solid  and  calm  llrength  manifeffs  itfelf  by  a  well-proportioned 
fiature,  rather  too  Ihort  than  too  tall  ;  by  a  thick  nape,  broad 
Ihouldcfs,  a  face  rather  bony  than  flefhy,  even  in  a  llate  of  perfeci 
health. 

I  had  fome  other  figns  which  annou'nce  thisfpecies  of  llrength. 
A  forehead  fnort,  compact,  and  even  knotted— frontal  finufes  well 
marked,  not  too  prominent,  and  which  are  eitncr  entirely  fmooth 
in  the  middle,  or  v/ith  deep  ineifions  ;  but  whofe  cavity  ought 
not  to  be  limited  to  a  fimple  flattening  of  the  furface — eyebrows 
bufhy  and  clofe,  placed  horizontally,  and  which  approach  near 
.    Vox.  ill.        ^  i  the 


ISO  LAVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

the  eyes — funk  eyes,  and  a  determined  look — a  nofe  broad,  firm^ 
bony  near  the  root — contours  ftraight  and  angular— the  hair  of 
the  head  and  that  of  the  beard,  fhort,  curled,  and  thick — fmall 
teeth,  fomewhat  broad,  and  well  fet— clofe  lips,  and  the  under  one 
jutting  out,  rather  than  drawn  in— a  broad  prominent  chin — the 
occipital  bone  knotty  and  projeding — a  ba&  voice—a  firm' 
Hep. 

The  elaftic  flrength,  the  lively  force,  which  is  an  effed  of 
irritation,  ought  to  be  obfeivei  in  the  moment  of  activity  ;  but 
you  muft  take  care  to  make  abftradion  of  the  figns  of  this 
ztlhky,  when  the  irritated  flrength  (hall  be  reduced  to  its  ilatc 
of  reft.  We  fay  then,  that  a  certain  kind  of  body,  which  In  a 
ftate  of  inadlivity  is  capable  of  fo  little,  which  at  that  time 
operates  and  refills  fo  feebly,  may  be  irritated  and  ftretched  to 
fuch  a  point,  is  capable  of  acquiring  fuch  a  degree  of  vigour.  It 
will  be  found  that  this  fpecies  of  ilrength,  which  is  roufed  by 
irritation,  refides,  for  the  moft  part,  in  a  (lender  body,  rather  tall 
but  not  too  much  fo,  aad  at  the  fame  time  more  bony  than  flefhy. 
You  will  almoft  always  obfcrve  pcrfons  of  this  fort  to  have  a  pale 
complexion,  inclining  to  brown  ;  rapid  movements,  though  fome- 
what ftift  ;  a  ftep  firm  and  hafty  f  the  look  fixed  and  piercmg  y 
lips  finely  formed,  ilfghtly  but  exadly  joined. 

The  following  indications  are  thofe  of  weaknefs.  A  tafl 
ftature  without  proportion  j  much  flefli  and  little  bone ;  tenfion 
of  the  mufcles  j  a  timid  countenance  ;  a  ^abby  fkin  ;  the  core- 
tours  of  the  forehead  and  of  the  nofe  rounded,  blunted,  and, 
above  all,  hollowed  ;  a  little  nofe  and  fmall  noftrils  ;  a  fliort  and 
retreated  chin  ;  a  long  cylindrical  neck  ;  a  motion  either  very 
rapid,  or  very  flow,  but,  In  either  cafe,  no  firmnefs  of  ftep  ;  a 
gloomy  look  ;  deprefTed  eye-lids  ;  an  open  mouth  ;  long,  yel- 
lowifh,  or  greenlfh  teeth  ;  a  long  jaw,  with  a  joint  clofe  to  the 
car  J  the  Lcth  white  j  fair,  foft,  and  long  hair,  a  fhrill  voice  ;  &c. 

Four  Heads.     A  A. 

No.  Jo    Where  you  entirely   deftitute  of  a  phyfiognomlcat 

knowledge. 


Page  izc. 


Vol.  m. 


227 


LAVATER^S     PHYSIOGNOMT.  ^2^ 

knowledg'e,  yon  could  not  but  perceive  in  this  profile  the  ftrength 
of  Hercules.  That  forehead,  \YhIcli  retreats  fo  little,  accompani* 
ed  with  a  finus  fo  great,  the  thicknefs  of  the  nape,  the  bufhinefs 
of  the  beard,  all  bear  the  fame  imprefs.  But  it  is  not  ftrengthr 
idone  which  diftinguifhes  this  head.  There  is  blended  in  it  a 
'voluptuous  imhknce ;  and  this  appears  more  particularly  in  the  con- 
tours of  the  forehead,  and  in  the  arch  of  that  deprefftd  nofe.  The 
eye,  the  clofe  mouth,  and  the  chin,  indicate  even  refinement  in  plea* 
Jure,  To  charaiflerize  a  triumphant  ftrength,  an  energy  ever  active, 
a  man  who  accomplifhcs  whatever  he  pleafes,  the  face,  and  efpcci- 
ally  the  forehead,  ought  to  be  more  fquare. 

2.  This  is  one  of  X^iAoit  fquare  heads  of  which  I  hare  Jull  now 
been  fpeaking.     It  would  be  the  complete  image  of  ftrength,  if 
the  nofe  were  a  little  broader.     It  is  a  face  of  brafa  j  you  fee 
in  it  manly  courage,  and  a  beautiful  combination. 

A  man  like  this,  is  not  only  immoveable  in  himfelf,  but  is  alfo 
capable  of  bearing  down  and  crufhing  every  thing  that  refifts  him. 
On  the  other  hand,  he  pofTefTes  a  certain  fund  of  goodnefs  :  he 
never  will  provoke  any  one,  and  will  reft  fatisfied  with  repelling 
the  attacks  made  upon  him.  Real  ftrength  loves  to  pradlife  in- 
dulgence :  it  dcfpifes  an  impotent  adverfary,  and  laughs  at  frantic 
malignity.  Here  the  expreflion  of  energy  is  perfcdlly  vifible  in 
the  hair  and  in  the  beard  :  the  forehead  has  as  much  wifdom  as 
folidity  :  it  is  lefs  prolific  than  the  preceding,  but  it  announces  a 
mind  more  profound,  and  which  will  not  eafily  fufFer  the  objects 
it  has  once  laid  hold  of  to  efcape. 

3.  This  ftrength  reaches  not  that  of  Hercules  ;  you  will  remark 
in  it  more  roughnefs,  more  ferocity,  and  lefs  precifion.  I 
would  call  it  an  hideJlruEiihk  ftrength,  which,  once  roufed,  pro- 
ceeds to  the  moft  extreme  violence. 

Compared  with  our  two  Herculefes,  Numbers  I.  and  II, 
the  forehead  is  lefs  produdive  than  the  firft  ;  neither  has  it  the 
wifdom  of  the  fecond.  However  lofty  and  however  bony  it  may 
be,  it  can  only  contain  a  mind  obftinatc,  contra<Sled,  incapable  of 

1 2  embracing 


.122  LATATEr's      physiognomy* 

embracing  objedls  in  all  their  extent.  The  eyebrows  announce 
ntither  judgment  nor  rejSe<flIon  ;  at  moft,  a  paflionate  heat, 
which  eafily  and  frequently  changes  into  frantic  rage  ;  this  ex- 
prellion  is  farther  ftrengthened  by  the  manner  in  which  the  eye- 
brows fink.  The  nofe  is  ridiculoufly  comprefTed  towards  its  root : 
replete  with  fenfe  ;  in  other  refpecls,  it  promifes  a  prolific 
charafter,  but  always  irritable  in  the  extreme.  The  eye  is  lefs 
ferocious  than  the  eyebrow,  and  lefs  energy  than  the  forehead. 
The  mouth  bears  the  imprefs  of  a  fingular  fpecies  of  malignity  ; 
it  prefents  a  mixture  of  goodnefs  bordering  on  folly,  and  of 
cauftic  bitternefs  which  tranfcends  the  bounds  of  malice.  The 
chin  and  neck  are  inflexibly  ftiff.  The  hair  does  not  fuit  that  face 
of  brafs,  and  is  not  much  Iq  harmony,  except  with  the  look  ;  but 
the  extreme  precifion  of  the  ear  fully  retraces  the  charafter  of  the 
forehead^  of  the  chin,  and  of  the  neck. 


LECTURE 


Mk«MaMMMMaM*aMM*a 


LECTURE    VIl. 


Of  the  State  of  Health  and  Sickness,  or  an  Essay 

ON  Symptoms. 

WE  want  a  fymptomatic  fyflem  for  every  (late  of  health  and 
ficknefs,  founded  on  the  rules  of  phyfiognomy  and  pathognomy. 
An  undertaking  of  this  kind  fay  exceeds  my  ability  ;  but  I 
fhould  like  to  fee  it  executed  by  an  intelligent  phyfician.  To 
him  would  I  recommend  it  to  trace  the  phyfiological  chara<fters 
of  the  different  difeafes  to  which  every  conllitution,  every  body, 
might  be  particularly  difpofed.  I  am  ignorant,  to  a  very  great  de- 
gree, of  eveiy  thing  relating  to  the  knowledge  of  difeafes,  and  of 
the  figns  which  are  proper  to  them  ;  neverthelefs,  from  the  little  I 
have  fecn  and  obferved  in  this  way,  I  think  I  may  venture  to  affirm 
with  confidence,  that,  on  carefully  ftudying  the  folid  parts 
and  contours  of  a  great  number  of  fick  perfons,  it  would  not  be 
abfolutely  impoffible  to  perceive,  and  to  indicate  before-hand,  in  a 
ftate  of  perfed  health,  th  charadlers  of  the  difeafes,  even  tht 
moft  dangerous,  to  which  the  bqdy  is  naturally  inclined      Of 

1 3  what 


124  lavAter's  physiognomy. 

what  utility  would  fuch  a  fyftem  be  ;  z.  prognq/lk,  founded  on  the 
nature  and  ftru6lure  of  the  body,  for  every  poffiblc  or  probable 
diftemper  !  What  infinite  benefit  would  be  the  rcfult,  if  the  phy- 
sician could  fay  to  a  n\an  in  health,  with  a  probability  ap- 
proaching   to  certainty,    *  According  to  the  natural  order  of 

*  things,  you  have  reafon  to  be  apprehenfive  of  fuch  a  diforder  ; 
'  make  ufe  of  fuch  and  fuch  precautions.     It  is  with  the  con- 

*  fumpiion  and  fever,  as  with  the  fmall-pox  ;  the  germ  of  them  is 

*  within  U8,  and  may  difclofe  itfelf  in  fuch  a  manner  :  thus  and 

*  thus  you  mud  a<5l  to  prevent  the  efFe(5ls  of  it.*  A  fyftem  of 
Dietetics,  ralfcd  on  the  foundation  of  phyfiognomy,  would  be  4 
work  worthy  oi  you,  illuftrlous  Zimmermann  ! 

With  what  fl<ill  docs  this  great  man  charaderize,  In  his  admira- 
ble Treatlfe  on  Experience,  the  ftate  of  the  different  maladies  pro- 
duced by  the  paflions  !  My  readers  alTuredly  will  not  blame  mc 
for  inferting,  in  this  place,  fome  paffages  wliich  contain  excellent 
fymptomat^c  remarks,  and  which  prove  to  what  a  degree  that 
author  is  converfant  in  his  fubjed.  I  begin  with  a  very  Interefting 
xtraA  from  Chap.  viii.  of  Part  Flift.  *  The  phyfician  who  is  a 
man  of  obfervatlon,   examines   the  phyfionomy  of  difcafes. 
This  phyfionomy  communicates  itfelf,  It  is  true,  to  the  whole 
extent  of  the  body  ;  but  the  figns  which  enable  us  to  form  a 
judgment  of  the  nature  of  the  dlfeafe  ;  of  Its  changes  and  pro- 
grefs,  are  particularly  perceptible  in  the  features  and  in  the  air 
of  the  face.     The  patient  has  frequently  the  mien  of  his  dlfi^ 
cafe  ;  this  is  vlfjble  In  burning,  hecUc,  and  bilious  fevers,  In  the 
green  ficknefs,  in   the  jaundice,  in  atrabllarlous,  and  in  worm 
complaints.'  (Ignorant  as  I  am  in  medicine,  I  have  frequently 
Ifcovered  In  the  phyfionomy  the  indication  of  thefolitary  worm.) 
Xhis  mien  of  which  I  fpeak,  cannot  poffibly  efcape  the  leall  at- 
tentive obfcrvcr,  efpecially  in  the  ravages  of  the  venereal  difeafe^ 
In  violent  fevers,  the  more  that  the  face  lofes  its  natural  air,  the 
greater  is  X\it  danger.     A  man  whofe  look  was  formerly  gentle 
and  ferene,  and  who  with  his  face  all  on  fire,  fixes  a  dillurbcd 
and  wild  eye  upon  me,  always  fills  me  with  apprehenfion  of  3 
fieranged  underftandlng.    At  other  times,  and  in  inflammations 
of  X\ip   liings,  J  have  feen  t-hc  face  turn  pale,  and  the  look 

*  ramble 


lavatir's   ^hysioonomy.  225 

*  ramble  at  the  approach  of  a  paroxyfm  which  chilled  the  patient 

*  with  cold,  and  even  left  him  infenfible.     Difturbed  eyes,  pen- 

*  dant  and  pale  lips,  are  bad  fymptoms  in  hot  fevers,  becaufe  they 

*  fuppofe  extreme  debility  :  there  is  very  great  danger  when  the 
-*  face  falls  fuddenly.    There  is  a  tendency  to  mortification  when, 

*  in  inflammatory  cafes,  the  nofe  becomes  pointed,  the  complexion- 

*  lead  coloured,  and  the  lips  bluelfli.     In  general,  the  face  fre« 

*  quently  announces  the  ilatc  of  the  patient,  by  figns  which  ap- 

*  pear  nowhere  elfe,  and  which  are  highly  fignificant.  The  eyes 
alone  furnifh   us   with   innumerable   obfervations.      Boerhaave 

*  examined  thofe  of  his  patients  with  a  magnifying  glafs,  to  fee 
'  if  the  blood  afcended  in  the  fmall  veflels.  Hippocrates  confi- 
•*  dercd  it  as  a  bad  fymptom^  when  the  eyes  of  the  patient  fhun- 

*  ned  the  light  ;    when   involuntary  tears  ^owed  from   them ; 

*  when  they  began  to  fqujnt  ;  when  the  one  appeared  fmaller  iji^n 

*  the  other.;  when  the  white  began  to  redden,  the  arteries  to 

*  grow  black,  to  fwell,  or  to  difappear  in  an  extraordinary  man- 
-*  ner.  (p.  432.)  The  motions  of  the  patient,  and  his  pofture  in 

*  bed,  ought  equally  to  be  placed  in  Jthe  number  of  diilindlive 

*  figns.     You  frequently  fee  the  patient  raife  his  hand  ,to  his 

*  forehead^  fumble  in  the  air,  fcratch  the  waU^  pull  about  the 

*  bed-clothes  ;  and  all  thefe  motions  have  their  fi^nlfication,  as 
•*  they  have 'their  cairfe.  The  pofture  qfihcfick  perfon  is  analo« 
-*  gousito  the  ftate  in  which  he  finds  himfelf^  andj  for  that  reafon, 

*  merits  particular  attention.     The  mere  iBCommodious  his  iitua- 

*  tion  is,  in  an  inflammatory  diforder^  the  mone  it  enables  us  to 
^  form  a  judgment  of  the  agitation  be  undergoes,  and  of  the  dan- 

*  ger  which  threatens  hinv-     Hippocrates  has  gone  into  all  thefe 

*  details,  with  an  accuracy  altogether  fatis-f  ic^kory.  The  more  the 

*  pofture  of  the  patient  approaches  that  which  was  habitual  to 

*  him  in  a  ftate  of  health,  the  lefs  is  his  danger.* 

I  here  infert,  by  the  way,  a  remark  of  our  author,  which  ap- 
pears to  me  replete  with  fagacity.     *  Swift,'  fays  he,  p.  452. 

*  was  lean  as  long  as  he  was  a  prey  to  ambition,  and  every  fpeciei 

*  of  mental  difquietude.     He  afterwards  entirely  loft  hif  rea£»% 

*  and  then  he  'became  jalump  again  ' 

I  4  my 


IZS  LAVATEa.*S    PHYSIOGNOMV. 

Mr.  Zimmermann  gives  an  admirable  defcription  of  envy,  ain! 

pf   the  ravages  it  commits  on  the  human  body.     '  The  effects 

•  *  of  envj'- begin  to  appear  even  in  children.     Under  the  influence 

*  of  this  propenfity,  they  become  lean  and  languifliing,  and  fre- 

*  quently  fall  into  a  marafmus.  In  general,  envy  diforders  the 
'  appetite,  it  occafions  unquiet   fleep  and   febrile  convulfions  ; 

.,*  it  faddens  the  mind  ;  it  produces  a  peevifti,  impatient,  and  reft- 

*  lefs  air  :  it  has  a  tendency  to  pre  d  ice  an  oppreflion  of  the  lungs. 
^  The  good  name  of  another  is  fufpended,  like  a  fword,  over  the 
^  head  of  the  envious  perfon  :  he  is  continually  contriving  to  tor- 

*  ment  .others,  and  he  is  his  own  greateft  torment.     Obferve  him, 

*  even  in  his  moments  of  gaiety :  it  departs  from  him,  the  mo- 

*  ment  his  demon  begins  to  v/ork,  as  foon  as  he  feels  himfelf  un- 

*  able  to  reprefs  that  merit  to  which  he  cannot  rife.  He  then  rolls 
f  his  eyes,  corttra6ls  his  forehead,  and  affumes  ^  gloomy,  fullen 

*  pouting  air.*    Vol.  II.  Chap.  I, 

The  authors  who  have  written  mofl  on  fymptoms,  and  whom 
phyficians  moft  frequently  quote,  are,  Arctacus,  Lemnius,  Emilius 
Campolongus,  Wolff,  Hoffman,  Wedel,  Schroder  the  Father.  I 
have  likewife  feen  two  good  diffcrtationa  on  the  fame  fubjedl:  the. 
one  by  Samuel  Quelmalz,  de profopafcopid  Medicd,  Leipzig.  I  f  84  : 
the  otherby  the  celebrated  Stahlf  de  fade  morhorun  ind'ice  \feu  mor- 
horum  aflimatiom  ex  facie'.  Hade,  17CO.  But  the  beft;  compofed 
treatife  we  have  in  this  way,  the  moil  interefling  and  moil  com- 
plete, is  Thomx  F'lene,  Phihfophl  ac  Mzdeci  prajlan  tijp.mi^  Senuoticay 
Jtiie  defgnis  medicis  J^ugduni,  1 664  :  yet  this  ingenious  author  has 
glanced  very  flightly  on  the  prognoflics  to  be  drawn  from  the 
figure  of  the  body  ;  though,  in  his  Diagnoflics  he  attaches  him-? 
felf  more  to  it  than  other  writers  have  done. 


Or  Youth  anp  Old  Age. 

I. 

Youth  extends  and  deyelope  the  body,  Old  Age  contrails  and 
pirivels  it  :  the  former  moiftens  it,  and  diffufes  warmth  over  it ; 

the 


^avater's    vhysiogn'omy.  127 

the  latter  dries  and  freezes  it.     In  youth  the  body  is  ere£l  and 
devated ;  in  old  age  it  bends  and  finks. 


2. 


The  phyfionomy  of  youth  difcovers  what  we  (hall  be,  that  of 
old  age  what  we  have  been  ;  but  it  is  much  eaficr  to  reafon  from 
the  pail  than  to  predicate  of  futurity.  The  bony  fyftem  being 
my  principal  guide,  and  the  bones  not  being  as  yet  marked  with 
fufficient  ftrength,  not  yet  fufficiently  confolidatcd  in  youth,  I 
will  frankly  confefs  that  I  have  frequently  much  difficulty  to  know 
the  charafter  of  the  grown  man  from  the  features  of  the  youth  ; 
the  charafter  of  the  woman  from  the  traits  of  the  girl.  It  is  not 
eafy  to  fatisfy  one's  felf  in  thefe  comparative  judgments,  when 
they  mull  be  deduced  only  from  the  rules  of  phyfiognomy,  and 
from  the  contours  of  the  body,  takers  in  a  flate  of  reft  j  the  thing, 
hpvyever,  is  not  impofiible. 


*  The  firft  years  of  youth,'  fays  Zimmermann,  *  contain  the  na- 

*  tural  hlHory  of  man.     They  unfold  the  faculties  of  the  foul  ; 

*  they  difcoyer  the  firft  principles  of  our  future  condu6l,  the 
^  traits  which  fuit  every  temp.rament.     Mature  age  difpofes  a 

*  mind  of  the  utmoft  candour  to  diffimulation,  or,  at  leaft,  it  pro- 

*  duces  in  our  idea  a  certain  modification,  which  is  the  efFciSt  of 

*  inftrudlion  and  experience.     Years  fucceffively  efface  even  the 

*  charaderiftic  figns  of  the  paffions,  whereas  youth  prefents  the 

*  mod  pofltive  indications  of  them.    As  long  as  the  man  prefcrve* 

*  his  primitive  difpofitions,  he  changes  not,  and  is  incapable  of 

*  playing  the  impofture  under  a  borrowed  colouring.    The  youth 
f  is  the  work  of,  nature,  the  grown  man  is  modelled  by  art.' 


My  dear  Zimmermann  !  thispafTage  cortains  both  truth  and] 
falfehood.     I  perceive  it  is  true,  in  the  face  of  the  young  man, 

the 


isS  LAVATEr's      PHYSIOCNOMy. 

the  majs  which  has  ferved  as  a  bafis  to  his  conftitution,  but  it  i« 
very  difficuk  to  dlltovcr  in  it  the  form  of  the  future  aduk. 


Youth,  juft  as  old  age,  has  its  paiBons  and  its  faculties.  Thefe, 
though  dependent  one  upon  another,  are  frequently  in  contradic- 
tion in  the  fame  individual,  and  their  developement  alone  can 
draw  out  the  traits  which  chara(9:erize  them.  The  grown  man  is, 
after  all,  only  the  youth  viewed  through  the  microfcope  :  thus  I 
read  the  more  diftindlly  in  the  face  of  the  adult,  than  in  that  of 
the  boy.  I  admit  that  dilBmulation  may  conceal  a  great  many 
things,  but  it  changes  not  the  form.  The  marked,  confolidated, 
and  Ihengthened  features  of  the  grown  man  are,  to  the  phyliono- 
mift,  a  prefervative  too  efficacious  againft  miftake,  to  permit  the 
tricks  of  dlllimulation  to  betray  him  into  error.  The  difclofur^ 
of  the  faculties  and  of  the  paffions  adds  to  the  firft  ilcetchof  the 
phylionomy  a  defign  more  bold,  deeper  fhades,  and  a  more 
Seady  colounng  whicla  never  appear  before  tjhe  age  of  vvirilky* 


4. 


The  phyfioHomy  of  a  young  fcnan  frequently  announces  what 
he  will  be,  or  what  he  will  not  be  :  but  he  muft  be  a  great  coq- 
jioifTeur,  and  a  moft  expert  obferver  indeed,  who  fets  himfclf  up 
for  a  judge  of  the  future  character  in  every  given  cafe. 


UudoabtecHy  when  the^rw  of  the  head  is  beautiful,  ftrikiog^ 
and  well  proportioned,  when  the  parts  which  compofe  it  are  of  a 
ftru^ure  folid,  and  yet  fine,  when,|moreoYer,  it  is  boldly  deiigned, 
and  not  too  faintly  coloured— it  can  hardly  fuppofe  an  ordinary 
man.  This  I  know,  and  I  know  befides,  that  if  the  form  of  the 
head  be  irregular,  and  efpecially  oblic^ue  or  bent,  if  the  defign  of 

it 


t-AVATER's    PHYS106KOMY.  tl^ 

k  18  cither  too  relaxed,  or  too  ftifF,  it  certainly  promifcs  no  great 
things  ;  but  how  many  variations  does  the  form  of  the  facCi  and 
^ycn  its  bony  fyftera,  undergo  in  youth  I 


8J 


Muck  Is  faid  of  the  candour,  of  the  franknefs,  of  the  fimpli- 
city,  and  of  the  ingenuoufnefs  of  phyflonomies  in  infancy  and 
early  youth  ;  but  when  one  is  in  the  habit  of  living  always  with 
children,  of  being  employed  about  them,  and  of  ftudying  them  at- 
tentively, one  is  foon  convinced,  that  it  is  a  matter  of  the  laft  dif- 
ficulty to  read  their  features  aright.  The  flighteft  accident,  an 
emotion,  a  fall,  ill  ufage,  is  frequently  fufReicnt  to  derange,  in  its 
principle,  the  mod  ftriking  and  the  liappteft  phyfionomy,  and 
yet  this  change  may  not  be  communicated  at  firft  to  the  whole 
form.  That  ftlll  beautiful,  always  flatters  ;  you  ftill  fee  in  it  a 
forehead  intrepidly  iirm,  eyes  deep,  and  penetrating,  a  mouth 
fweet  and  iiexible-^but  a  flight  mixture  has  difturbed  that  look, 
formerly  fo  ferene — but  the  mouth  has  contradted  a  fmall  obliqui- 
ty, fcarcely  perceptible,  and  which,  perhaps,  appears  only  at  in- 
tervals— no  more  is  wanted  to  degrade  the  phyfionomy  of  this 
hopeful  young  man,  fo  that  you  can  hardly  know  him  to  be  the 
fame  peifon,  till  at  length  the  progref§  of  years  have  brought  on  a 
total  contraft  m  the  features. 


The  eye  of  the  Divinity  alone  can  perceive  in  the  fimple  and 
ingenuous  phyfionomy  of  the  young  man,  or,  rather,  of  the 
infant,  the  traces  of  pafiion  ftill  concealed.  He  alone  can  difi. 
iingulfli  thofe  fignatures,  which,  marked  at  firlt  flightly  on  the 
face  of  the  youth,  imprefs  themfelyes  more  deeply  afterward  at 
the  age  of  maturity,  and  will  produce  at  laft,  in  old  age,  an  entire 
relaxation  of  the  mufcles.  The  phyfionomy  of  my  youth,  how 
different  it  was  from  that  which  I  bow  wear  I  What  a  change 

in. 


Ija  LAVATER*S    PHYSiOGNOMV. 

in  the  form,  and  in  the  features,  and  in  the  expreflion  of  the 
whole  ! 

O  niihi  prseteritos  referat  11  Jupiter  annos*! 

But  if  the  age  of  the  pafllons  quickly  fucceed  the  age  of  inno- 
cence, Reafon  comes  afterwards  to  bring  us  back  to  the  path  of 
Virtue  ;  and  fhe,  in  her  turn,  promifes  us  an  eternal  recompcnfe, 
after  a  fhort  and  tranfitory  life  is  at  an  end.  Shall  the  vefTel  fay 
unto  him  who  formed  it.  Why  haft  thou  made  me  thus  I  J  am 
liitle,  hut  lam  I,  He  who  created  me,  deftined  nie  to  be  a  man, 
and  not  to  remain  an  infant.  Why  then  call  back  a  youth  pafTed 
in  thoughtleffnefs  and  ignorance  ?  Placed  in  the  poft  affigned  me, 
I  will  no  longer  look  backward,  and  will  not  regret  my  having 
cfcaped  from  a  ftate  of  childhood.  The  raafculine  energy  which 
fuits  the  grown  man,  and  thefimplicity  of  the  heart  which  is  the 
bleiTed  portion  of  infancy — thefe  are  what  I  would  wifh  to  unite  ; 
this  is  the  great  objed  of  my  purfuit  ;  and  may  God  grant  that 
my  efforts  to  attain  it  prove  fuccefsful  ! 


10. 


The  oblique  and  Irregular  traits  which  frequently  disfigure  the 
phyfionomy  in  early  youth,  recover  and  re-eftablifh  themfelves.  If, 
in  proper  time,  you  grant  to  your  pupil  a  fuitable  liberty  ;  if  you 
deliver  him  betimes  from  the  oppreffive  yoke  of  thofe  teazing 
pedants  who  exad  from  him  things  above  his  capacity,  attain- 
ments referved  for  a  maturer  age.  His  features,  1  fay, 
will  re-eftablifh  themfelves, .  if  you  put  him  under  the  direc- 
tion of  an  enlightened  guide,  who  has  fenfe  to  difcover  talents, 
and  to  turn  them  to  good  account. 


II, 


The  moft  beautiful  forms,  and  the  happleft  phyfionomies,  are 
fomctimcs  disfigured  on  the  approach  of  manhood  ;  but  this  de- 

*  O  heavenly  powers  !  bring  back  my  wafted  years. 

formity 


layater's  physiognomy.  131 

formity  is  very  tranfient,  and  ought  neither  to  render  parents  un- 
cafy,  nor  to  difcourage  them.  It  (hould  only  infpirc  them  with 
greater  vigilance,  engage  them  to  treat  their  children  with  gcatle- 
nefs,  and  even  to  conceal  from  them  the  degradation  which  they 
perceive.  After  a  fpacc  of  two  years,  the  beauty  of  the  youpg 
man  will  re-appear,  provided  his  morals  have  not  been  entirely 
corrupted. 


12. 

A  great  number  of  phydonomies,  which  in  infancy  and  la 
youth  were  difagreeable,  and  even  fhocking,  change,  with  time, 
to  a  wonderful  advantage.  When  once  the  features  are  arranged, 
when  all  the  parts  have  been  confolidated  in  their  juft  proportions, 
when  the  charafter  has  acquired  fufficient  confiliency  to  efface 
foreign  Impreflions,  when  bodily  exercife  has  ftrengthened  the 
conftitution,  and  when  the  heart  and  underftand'ng  have  been 
formed  by  a  commerce  with  perfons  of  worth — it  very  frequent- 
ly happens  that  the  adult  has  no  longer  any  refemblance  at  all  la 
hia  former  felf. 


13- 

The  arrangement  of  the  teeth  is  one  of  the  moft  certain  indi- 
cations for  difcovering  the  turn  of  mind,  and  efpecially  the  moral 
chara<^er  of  young  perfons. 


In  order  to  illullratc  the  doftrine  by  examples,  I  fnali  run  over 
the  different  ages  of  human  life,  from  infancy  to  old  age,  and  I 
fhall  lay  before  the  reader  a  ferles  of  prints  which  will  furni{h  us,  I 
hope,  with  abundant  matter  of  ufeful  obfervation  and  application. 
I  have  already  faid,  and  I  repeat  it,  that  every  Lecture  of  mr 
work  might  be  the  fubjecl  of  a  large  volume. 

The  knowledge  of  man,  or  what  with  me  is  the  fame  thing, 
philofophy  and  religion,  the  knowledge  of  what  is  good,  that  of 

God 


XJZ  tAVATER*S    PHYSiaGNOMY- 

God  himfelf,  cannot  be  promoted  more  diredlly  and  rilore  immC" 
diately,  than  by  the  individual  ftudy,  and  the  exadt  analyfis,  of 
every  thing  belonging  to  humanity.  Nothing  is  better  calculated 
to  cxercife  the  eye  and  the  underftanding  of  the  obferver—  nothing 
tends  more  to  illuminate  the  mind,  and  better  enables  us  to  catch 
the  difference  of  charaders,  than  the  difcernment  of  the  infinite 
varieties  which  appear  in  the  human  fpecies,  conlidered  under  a 
multitude  of  forms,  which  are  themfelves  fo  endlefsly  dlverfified  ; 
nothing  contributes  fo  much  to  the  perfeftlon  of  language,  no- 
thing is  more  interefting,  more  ufeful,  and  more  inftrudlive  for  the 
commerce  of  life — and  nothing  can  fo  much  exalt  and  ennoble  our 
enjoyments. 


Two    He^VDS    of    CHltDRSlf. 

A.    B. 

HoRUM    EST    ReGNUM    CoELORUM*. 

A.  This  print  is  after  Weft,  to  which  I  (hall  once  more  refer  in 
the  fequel.  If  the  phyfionomy  does  not  appear  fo  animated  as  It 
ought  to  be,  the  copyift  is  to  blame.  This  child,  replete  with  in- 
nocence and  candour,  Is  raifing  hfs  eyes  to  Jefus  Chrift,  fees  and 
hears  only  him.  The  mouth  is  too  haifh  and  too  open  for  the  de- 
gree of  attention  indicated  by  the  attitude  in  general,  and  particu- 
larly by  tbe  form  of  the  eye.  Attending  to  proportion,  the  nofe 
is  llkewlfe  too  marked,  too  little  Infantine  ;  but  it  neceffarlly  fup- 
pofes  much  fweetnefs  and  Ingenuoufnefs,  a  heart  upright,  pure, 
and  generous,  a  judgment  found  and  clear.  The  forehead,  confi- 
dering  its  pofition  and  its  contours,  promifes,  neither  profound 
thought  nor  entcrprlzing  eeurage.  The  eye  announces  a  concep- 
tion extremely  rapid,  an  aftonlfhing  capacity  to  feize,  I  had  aU 
moft  iaid,  to  devour  beauties  which  aSe<S:  the  fenfes. 

The  fame  chara£^er  n^y  be  traced  in  the  contour  of  the  occiput. 
The  chin  is  a  little  too  voluptuous;  but  I  difcem  in  the  whole  tbe 

i»  «*,p|'  fach  is  the  kingdom  of  Heaven.*'     Matt,  xix,  14. 

cxpreffioB 


Fojge  1^2. 


Vol.m 


228 


Paaem- 


roim. 


Twelve     He  ads 


LATATER   S    PHYSIOGNOMY,  I33 

cxpreffion  of  that  beautiful  (Impllcity,  of  that  divine  fcatiment, 
which  detaches  the  foul  from  the  things  of  this  world,  and  eafurea 
ta  it  a  participation  of  the  bounty  of  a  Father  in  heaven. 

B.  This  head  Is  truly  Infantine,  Init  In  which  the  ftrength  of 
twenty  years  Is  vifibly  concentrated.  However  childlfh  the  form, 
every  thing  In  it  announces  the  vigour  of  a  Hercules.  The  face 
13  fiefhy  ;  but  It  is  a  fleOi  which  has  the  hardnefs  of  brafs.  This 
youth  is  cholerlc-fangulne  to  the  higheft  degree  ;  he  cannot  pof- 
fibly  have  fprung  from  feeble  parents,  nor  been  born  In  a  mean 
condition.  Had  we  the  means  of  fettling  the  degrees  of  obftlna- 
cy,  according  to  the  different  conditiorts  of  life,  from  the  con&a- 
ble  up  to  the  magiftrate,  and  from  the  magiftrate  up  to  the 
monarch,  I  would  afcribe  to  the  being  before  us  the  Inflexible  will 
of  a  Defpotf  Inexorable  hrmnefs,  founded  on  energy  of  chara<5ierii 
Of  this,  the  forehead  and  chin  are  fuiHcIent  indications* 


Twelve  Heads  of  Bovse 

C. 

Twelve  profiles,  between  which  you  may,  perliap?,  on  the  fiirft 
glance,  perceive  a  certain  air  of  refemblance,  but  which  differ  Ini- 
menfely  In  point  of  charadler.  There  Is  not  one  of  them  which 
excites  my  admiration  ;  and  the  reader  will  probably  think  as  I 
do,  after  he  has  attentively  examined  them  one  by  one. 

1.  Phlegmatic-melancholic,  perfe<5liy  good-natured,  but  of  a 
feeble  chara6ter.  With  much  gentlenefs  and  modefty,  docility 
aud  refie<!Llion,  he  is  Inclined  to  doubt  and  mlftruih 

2.  This  profile  prefents  a  fingular  mixture.  The  forehead  in- 
dicates an  obftinacy  which  appears  to  be  the  effeft  of  a  narrow 
mind  ;  the  nofe  difcovers  judgment  at  bottom  ;  the  eye,  mouth, 
and  chin,  announce  good-na;ure  bordering  on  weaknefs. 

5.  M'Jc^i 


^34  LAVATER*S    physio  GNOMt. 

3.  Much  weaker  ftill  than  the  preceding,  more  waggifli  irt 
Ms  mirth.  The  over  obtufc  contour  of  the  paflage  which  joints 
the  nofe  to  the  mouth,  gives  the  whole  a  chlMifh  air.  The  fore- 
head promifes  more  flexibility  and  docility  than  that  of  No.  2. 

4.  If  the  chin  were  more  analogous  to  the  part  between  the 
nofe  arid  the  mouth,  and  if  the  forehead  retreated  a  little  more 
a-top,  this  phyfionomy  woiild  certainly  be  much  above  the  com- 
mon. Such  as  it  is  at  prefent,  it  appears  fixed  for  life ;  it  will 
be  difficult,  if  not  impoffible,  to  ennoble  it. 

5.  The  forehead  is  very  well,  without  having  any  thing  re- 
markably diftinguifiied,  and  that  eye  too  is  not  ordinary.  A 
nofe  fo  violently  turned  up  is  not  in  nature  ;  were  it  lefs  exagge- 
rated, 1  fliould  call  It  judicious.  The  mouth  of  this  boy  is  too?. 
inteUigent  for  his  age  ;  it  entirely  ceafes  to  be  childifh. 

6.  The  forehead  Is  not  {o  good  as  the  preceding,  the  eye 
more  cunning.  The  mouth  is  not  young  enough,  and,  not- 
wlthilandlng  the  difagreeable  contrail  which  refults  from  it,  it 
preferves  an  air  of  wifdora  and  goodnefs, 

7.  Though  the  upper  part  of  the  face  Indicates  a  feeble  cha- 
radler,  you  cannot  help  obferving  in  all  the  rcll,  and  particularly 
in  the  mouth,  an  exprclTion  of  candour,  gentlenefs  and  dignity.- 

8.  A  part  of  the  contour  of  the  nofe  excepted,  this  phy- 
fionomy is  completely  ilupid.  A  forehead  whofe  profile  appears" 
rounded,  and  which  advances  a-top,  is  always  a  certain  mark  of 
IVupidity. 

9.  Premature  reafon,  but  p-oceeding  on  falfe  principles ;  oh- 
ftinacy  fcarcely  belonging  to  that  age ;  a  mixture  of  weaknefs^ 
ilupidlty,  and  Indolence. 

la  Complete  flupldlty  and  harfhncfs,  if  you  except  the  eye. 

luAphy- 


\  ■  ^ 


Piujei^ 


Voim, 


3i 


LAVATEr's     PHYSIOGNOMY.  1^^ 

11.  A  pbyfionomy  of  the  fuperior  kind,  and  which  almoft 
iupcrabounds  in  the  reafoning  powers.  I  perceive  here  the  man 
defigned  for  the  cabinet. 

12.  The  nofe,  taken  by  itfelf,  fuppofes  judgment,  but  every 
thing  elfe  is  mere  phlegmatic  ftupidity* 


Two  Profiles  of  Men.» 
D. 

t.  This  profile  difcovers  capacity  and  good  fenfe.  Cover 
forehead  i,  the  under  part  of  which  efpecially  is  drawn  without 
truth  and  corredtnefs — and  you  will  read  in  that  handfome  phyfi- 
onomy,  a  mind  ingenuous  and  open,  a  charadler  gentle,  tranquil, 
and  generous.  The  forehead  and  the  nofe  of  2,  promife  a  man 
more  decided,  and  who  is  more  directed  by  reafon  in  the  judg- 
ments which  he  pronounces.  Perfons  of  this  fort,  has  however 
aptitude  for  every  thing.  Employ  them  in  bufinefs,  make 
preceptors,  profeflbrs,  of  them,  they  will  fucceed  every  where. 
They  examine  objeds  with  clearnefs,  and  with  folidity  ;  thej 
meafure  them  by  the  proper  llandard. 


Two  Boys. 

The  fame  face  twice  reprefented.  You  will  remark  in  the 
firfl  more  gentlenefs,  cordiality,  and  delicacy ;  in  the,  fecond, 
more  energy  and  vigour.  Both  the  one  and  the  other  denote  a 
manly,  and  generous  charafter.  Such  a  look  neceffarily  fuppofes 
quick  nefs  of  conception,  a  clearnefs  of  underllanding  which  ad- 
mits of  no  ambiguity  or  confulion.  The  eyes  and  eye-brows  an- 
nounce fuperior  difpofitions,  a  greatnefs  almoll  heroic :  in  ths 
firft  head  thefe  parts  approach  to  the  fublime.  The  nofe  in  both 
promifes  a  good  and  honeft  heart,  without   much  flrength  of 

Vol.  ail  K  mind 


1^6  lavater's  phys  iogno  Mir. 

mind,  and  without  eminent  qualities.  What  we  perceceivc  ct 
conjefture  of  the  forehead,  indicates  an  excellent  memory,  «md 
firmnefs— more  clearnefs,  however,  than  fagacity. 


Four    PORTRAlTSii 

F. 

Four  excellent  phylionomies.  i,  is  Infinitely  more  fenfibfe  than* 
2  ;  but,  in  this  refpe6l,  the  form  of  the  eye -brow,  in  fome  mea= 
fure.  Indemnifies  the  fecond  for  the  injury  done  him  In  the  con-* 
tour  of  the  forehead  and  of  the  nofe.  His  mouth  is  more  phlegma- 
tic than  that  of  i,  in  which  you  difcover  more  ferenity  and  gaiety. 
J)ifferences  of  this  fort  arifefrom  the  moil  minute  circumftances. 
The  eye  of  i,  is  more  attentive  and  more  judicious  than  that  of 
2,  and  a  flight  inflexion  In  the  nollril  renders  it  more  fignlficant. 
In  general,  i  appears  to  me  a  valuable  perfon  j  he  Is  a  young  maO' 
©f  fingular  courage, 

3.  An  energetic,  valiant,  a  ""rl  folid-  chavadler.  The  nofe  ex- 
prefics  a  wifdom  and  a  vigour  which  are  not  be  traced  to  fo  much 
advantage  In  the  forehead.  This  laft-mentioned  part  difplays 
more  firmnefs  and  obftinacy  than  judgment  and  ingenuity.  A 
perfon  with  fuch  a  look  may  become  an  artift.  The  mouth  like- 
wife  promifcs  much  ability  ;  it  has,  if  you  will,  an  air  of  good- 
nefs,  but  there  a  little  too  riiuch  coldnefs  mingled  with  it. 

4.  This  phyfionomy  is  more  animated  and  decided  ;  It  fuppoie& 
more  penetration,  dexterity,  and  intelligence,  than  any  of  the 
preceding.  Every  thing  in  it  is  In  harmony.  That  eye  embraces, 
runs  over,  and  analyzes  its  objedt  with  alloniihing  rapidity.  A 
gentle  calm  and  a  fentiment  of  conviftion  are  depicted  in  the 
mouth.  It  Is  the  mod  beautiful  of  the  four  :  no  one  of  them 
announces  fo  much  gentienefs,  tranquillity,  wifdom,  capacity^ 
and  folldity, 

.    Twelve 


Faoe  ixS 


VoLHI. 


230 


Fa^eisj. 


Vol.  III. 


« 


lavater's  physiognomy,  137 


TwELVfi  Figures  of  Boys. 

G. 

iThefe  figures  of  chiUren  are  upon  too  fmall  a  fcale,  but  tliey 
are  not  the  lefs  fignificant  on  that  account,  as  much  in  refpeft  of 
phyfionomical  expreflion,  as  of  attitude  :  not  one  of  them  is  ad- 
vantageous, not  one,  of  which  it  is  poffible  to  fpeak  well. 

T.  If  you  hefitate  to  call  this  a  wicked  boy,  you  may  impute 
to  him  at  leaft  aharfh  and  violent  character.  2.  A  morofe  tcm- 
pfcr,  and  quite  difpofed  to  mifchief.  3.  An  idle  blackguard.  4. 
Dallardly,  and  indolent*  5.  A  coward  6.  Dull  and  ftupid.  7* 
Sordidly  avaricious.  8.  Stupid  and  good.  9.  A  mif- 
chievous  hypocrite.  10.  A  difobedient  and  infolent  child.  1 1,, 
Impudent  and  ftubborn.     12.  Cruel. 

Whole  length  Figure  of  Content. 
H. 

The  attitude  and  features  of  this  figure,  reprefents  content  per- 
fonified  j  only  the  face  is  over  delicate,  and  rather  too  Hat. 


Thirteen  whole  lengths  of  Boys. 

t- 
L 

All  thefe  fmall  figures  too  are  fpeaking,  and  charaderiflical. 

i.  Prefents  the  attitude  of  a  good  lad,  who  in  his  fimplicity 
will  do  harm  to  no  one.  The  gaiety  of  2,  is  pleafing,  3.  Has 
the  air  of  a  ftudious  youth.  4.  Is  meditating  on  what  he  has 
jult  read.  5.  Is  a  little  fprlghtly  wag.  You  difcover  in  6,  the 
gcntlenefs  of  a  good  mind.  "  7.  A  noble  and  generous  charadter, 

K  2  8.  Bears 


^S^  lavatJer's  physiognomy. 

8.  Bears  the  imprefs  of  geaius.     9.  Is  abforbed  in  devout  exer 
cifes.     I  cannot  doubt,  for  a  moment  of  the  doeillty  of  10,  nor 
of  the  candour  of  1 1.     12  Prefents  the  image  of  a  poor  wretch 
overjoyed  on  receiving  feafonable  relief.     13.  Is  adminiftering 
that  reh'ef  with  a  liberal  heart  and  hand. 


Head  of  a  Youn^g  Man. 
K. 

I  fubjoin  the  portrait  of  a  young  man,  refpeding  whom  I  bold- 
ly pronounce  every  thing  honourable  and  wife — every  thing  that 
concurs  to  render  a  man  ufefuljfolid, judicious,  confiderate  order- 
ly— every  thing  that  can  infpire  confidence— every  thing  ap- 
proaching to  fuperiority,  without  adlually  rifing  to  fuperiority— > 
decidedly  meets  in  this  face. 

Twelve  outlines  of  Heads* 

L. 

t.  A  young  man  eftimable  on  the  fcore  of  goodnefs.  He  is 
&  fprightly  fellow  ;  he  unites  docility  to  capacity,  but  profeiles 
no  extraordinary  talents. 

2.  with  refpedl  to  talents  he  is  fuperior  to  the  prcceeding. 
The  forehead,  the  eyes,  and  the  mouth,  difclofe  a  more  refleding 
charader. 

3.  Magnanimous  and  haughty.     Cover  the  under  part  of  the 

face,  and  the  expreflion  of  his  dignity  will  appear  in  all  its  punity  : 

the  under  part  on  the  contrary,  prefent  a  mixture  of  arrogance 
and  voluptuoufnefs. 

4.  Generous,  difcreet,  and  confiderate.  The  charader  of 
circumfpedion  refides  rather  in  the  eye -brows  thaa  in  the  eyes  : 
u  is  apparent  alfo  in  the  fovm  of  the  face. 

5.  Genius 


lavater's   physiognomy.  159 

5.  Genius  fparkles  in  the  whole  of  this  form  :  it  is  vifible  in 
the  hair,  and  efpeci^lly  in  the  look.  The  nofe  is  badly  drawn  and 
void  of  character. 

6.  The  form  of  the  face  and  the  eye-brows  announce  a  ferious 
thinker,  fomewhat  difpofed  to  melancholy.  There  is  a  tint  of 
weaknefs  in  the  eyes  :  the  nofe  and  mouth  are  llrongly  expref- 
five  of  dignity  and  goodnefs. 

7.  Attentive  and  ftudious,  rich  in  talent :  he  unites,  to  the  love 
of  order,  quicknefs  of  apprehenfion,  and  a  retentive  memory. 

8.  This  face  expreiTes  rather  a  f4.idden  burft  of  joy,  than  ha- 
bitual gaiety  :  he  is  not  endowed  with  fuperior  faculties. 

9.  A  character  flexible  and  docile,  gentle  and  good,  innocent 
and  peaceable. 

10.  PolTeffes  a  found  underftandi^ng  :  he  is  fmcere,  a  rigid  ob- 
er  of  truth,  and  brave. 

11.  Humble,  raodeli,  and  refpec^ful.  His  gentlenefs  and  do^ 
cility  almoft  fupply  the  place  of  talents. 

12.  A  charafter  affable,  affectionate,  and  ingenuous  ;  a  foul  all 
candour,  a  mind  contented,  flexible  and  attentive— Thefe  are  the 
.diilin6live  marks  of  this  phyfionomy. 


Four  Heads. 
M. 

I.  and  2.  The  fame  face  taken  both  ways  in  profile.  The 
whole  conveys  the  idea  of  a  chara6ler  good,  gentle,  and  gene- 
rous :  and  it  is  precifely  this  whole  which  produces  the  expreffion  of 
thefe  two  laft  qualities,  though  it  is  to  be  found  ftill  more  particu- 
larly in  the  form  of  the  nofe.  I  would  allow  to  this  head,  facility  of 

K  3  comprehenfion, 


140  LAVATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

comprehenfion,  but  no  depth  ;  a  mind  capable  of  contemplating 
objects  with  difcernment,  which  meafures  them,  perhaps,  with 
accuracy,  and  i»  all  their  extent,  but  without  penetration  fufficient 
to  acquire  a  thorough  knowledge  of  them.  The  eye  of  profile 
3,  is  gentler  and  niore  fenfible  than  that  of  i,  the  nofe  ot  which 
has  fo  much  the  more  fagacity  and  ingenuity.  The  drawing  of 
the  noltril  in  both  is  incorredt.  The  mouth  3,  is  not  deilitute  of 
dignity;  I,  is  hov/cver,  fuperior  to  it  in  this  refpc(5l:.  The  ear, 
the  chin,  the  neck,  and  the  whole  contour  of  the  occiput,  pro« 
mife  infinitely  lefs  than  the  nofe  and  the  mouth. 

You  muH  agree  with  me  in  thinking  that  3,  on  jhe  firfl  glance, 
this  face  is  one  of  thofe  which  may  miflead  the  moll  experienced 
Phyfionomift.  I  know  not  the  original ;  I  have  not  the  llighte^ 
notion  of  any  thing  relating  to  him,  and  his  portrait  makes  me 
fenfible  of  the  truth  of  what  I  have  faid  above— that  it  is  fre- 
quently very  diiHcult  to  form  a  judgment  of  youth.  Here  the 
whole  produces  no  favourable  imprefiion,  it  has  nothing  to  pre- 
poflefs  you.  If  the  contour  of  the  forehead  had  been  accurarely 
given,  there  is  no  education,  no  d^^gree  of  culture,  capable  of  pro- 
ducing, in  this  head,  the  germ  of  extraordinary  faculties  :  The 
pofition  and  form  of  the  eyes,  the  nofe,  and  what  is  vifible  of  the 
ear,  confirm  me  in  my  opinion.  If  the  ear  is  indeed  placed  at 
jthat  height  nothing  more  is  neeeflary  to  a  decided  llupidity. 
The  mouth  and  chin,  in  like  manner,  have  nothing  diilinguifhedt 
**-I  would  not  fwear,  hov/ever,  that  this  phyfionomy  may  not 
conceal  many  ellimable  qualities,  which  compenfate  the  difadvan- 
tages  which  I  which  I  have  juil  enumerated. 

Headlefs  and  inconfiderate  as  it  may  appear,  it  does  not  exclude 
a  certain  portion  of  good-nature,  nor  even  ingenuity  ;  and  clofely 
examined  the  whole  form,  I  believe,  I  difcern  in  it  iincerity,  appli- 
cation and  the  love  of  good  order. 

4.  Seems  deficient,  it  muil  be  allowed,  in  refped  to  ingenuity, 
fagacity,  and  delicacy  ;  but  it  pofTeffes  a  fund  of  prudence,  which 
in  vain  you  \yould  look  for  in  No,  3—for  there  is  a  rnighty  differ^ 
ence  between  prudence  and  ingenuity. 

5.  One 


Iavater's  physiognomy,  141 

Twelve  Small  Heads  of  Men. 

N. 

1  allied  of  Mr.  Chodowiecki  fix  faces  of  young  mcuy  drawn  in 
front  and  in  profile.  Here  they  are.  It  remains  that  we  enquire, 
firft,  whether  thefe  fancy  heads  be  the  fame  in  profile  and  in  fron^t; 
and  then,  what  is  the  charader  of  e<lch.  In  general  they  reprefent 
rather  maturity  than  youth. 

I. 

This  head  promifes  a  man  judicious,  generous,  and  friendly  ; 
but  I  dare  not  expedl  from  him  either  fuperior  talents  or  extreme 
fenfibility.  7,  cannot  be  the  fame  face  ;  it  is  much  younger  :  ana- 
logy of  charader  has,  however,  been  preferved. 

2. 

There  is  more  harmony  or  identity  between  2,  and  8  ;  only 
this  laft  ftrikes  ftill  more  by  its  expreffion  of  probity,  dignity, 
and  judgment.  In  2,  the  upper  lip  has  been  omitted  through  the 
fault  of  the  engraver. 


Modeft,  fenfible,  and  attentive.  AH  thcfe  are  likewife  to  be 
found  in  9,  which  I  confider  alfo  as  the  more  judicious  of  the 
two. 


Without  having  any  thing  great,  or  abfolutely  noble^  this  cha- 
rader  poffefles  an  extraordinary  fund  of  reafon,  but  more  fteid 

and 


142  tAVATER's    PHYSIOGNOMY,^ 

and  more  (decided  than  befits  this  time  of  life.     Scarcely  any  one 
except  a  fick  perfon  or  a  mifer,   could  have  fuch  a  phyfionomy 
Under  forty  years  of  age.      -lO,  is  fifty  at  leall :  he  is  confiderate 
and  crafty  ;  he  muft  have  the  prattle  of  an  old  wo  ma  nj  and  a  pro- 
penfity  to  avarice. 


Neither  is  there  any  greatnefs  here ;  he  may  be  able  to  conduft 
himfelf  difcreetly,  but  fomething,  perhaps,  might  be  faid  as  to 
liis  folidity  and  integrity.  11.  does  not  abfolutely  correfpond  to 
its  profile.  But  for  a  fmall  ilant  in  the  drawing,  this  face  would 
be  as  fenfible  and  as  fage  as  its  companion  ;  nay,  even  greater  and 
more  dignified.  I  fliould  fuppofe  5,  to  be  thirty  years  old,  and, 
1 1,  two  and  twenty  at  moil. 


6, 


?klay  be  about  forty.      I  confider  him  as  the  moft  judicious  of 
the  whole:  he  poflefTes  coolnefs  and  refleftion,  induftry  and  good- 
,  nefs  of  heart.     This  head  has  no  manner  of  relation  to  12;  this 
laft  ihdicates,  if  you  will,  more  natural  goodnefs,  but  it  is  fangums 
in  the  extreme. 

Before  we  proceed  farther,  let  us  fettle  an  obfervation  which  I 
confider  as  of  fuperior  importance.  There  are  three  claffes  of  chil- 
dren, three  clafies  of  men,  under  one  of  which  every  individual 
be  arranged.  Our  body  is  either^^and  ienfe — or  r elated 2:sxdiJoft 
or  elfe-  it  poffeiles  the  juft  medium,  and  then  it  unites  eafe  and/srm- 
fion.  In  the  human  fpecies,  exti  ernes  are  only  half  men  or  half 
monfters.  On  the  contrary,  the  »lore  nature  is  upon  its  centre,  the 
more  precife  and  eafy  are  its  forms—they  have  exaAncfs  without 

barfhnefs,  eafe  without  foftnefs.  The  fame  diftin6lion  holds  good  in 

morals 


Fai:ei4$ . 


VoJTE 


LAVATER   S    PHYSIOGNOMY.  I^J 

Siorals.  A  rigid  chara(fter  opprefTes  others  ;  a  relaxed  characler 
is  itfelf  cafily  opprefTed  ;  eafy  and  preclfe  it  encroaches  on  no  one, 
and  poffeffes  the  elafticity  neceffary  to  relifl  encroachment.  The 
alTemblage  of  a  great  number  of  ftraight  lines,  or  of  fuch  as  ap- 
proach to  the  ftraight  line,  neceflarily  fuppofes  an  obftinate  tem- 
per, a  difpolition  not  eaiily  managed.  Contours  completely 
rounded  are  the  infallible  indication  of  fenfuahty,  of  indolence, 
or  of  a  conftitution,  in  one  word,  in  which  every  thing  is  given  to 
the  body,  ac  the  expenee  of  the  mind.  Finally,  where  ftraight 
lines  gently  blend  with  curves^  their  will  be  neither  tenfion  nor 
iaxnefs. 


Six  Heads. 

Face  I.  is  obvioufly  the  profile  of  2.  Unlefs  all phyfionomical 
conjecture  is  fallacious,  the  original  muft  be  a  man  of  ninety,  ma- 
lignant, crafty,  inclined  to  falfhood  and  avarice,  and  who,  proba- 
bly, in  his  youth,  was  violently  addidted  to  fenfual  pleafure.  Pro- 
file 3,  repvefents  an  old  man  of  one  hundred  and  four,  ofarobufl 
.  conftitution,  laborious  and  honeft,  but,  beyosd  all  doubt,  an 
obftinate  chara6ter.  An  elevated  forehead,  funk  eyes,  frequent- 
ly alfo  thofe  which  are  large  and  well  cut,  a  large  nofe,  frontal 
iinufes  raifed  and  fpacious,  a  chin  firm  and  prominent,  lipsclofed 
a  {lun  foft  and  plickered,  but  not  over  lax, — all  thefe  traits  unit- 
ed may  be  confidered  as  the  figns,  if  not  as  the  ingredients,  of 
long  life.  But  the  phyfionomies  which  refult  from  fuch  an  af- 
femblage,  imply,  for  the  moft  part,  a  characler  artful,  fufpicious, 
covetous  and  deceitful.  Obftinacy  and  ambition  are  inseparable 
from  it, 

4.  This  head  of  an  old  man,  paft  his  hundretb  year,'m.ay  ferve 
both  as  text  and  commentary  to  the  charafteriftic  pidlure  which 
I  have  juft  traced.  Every  man  deftined  to  reach  an  advanced  pe- 
riod of  life,  has  a  mufcular  forehead,  furniflied  with  a  foft  ikin  ; 
the  nofe  fomewhat  curved.  P^arely  will  you  fee  a  ipan  laden  with 
years  whofe  phyfionomy  is  frank  and  open ;  you  wil|  hardly 
ever  read  in  it  the  traits  of  prepofleJDGng  generofity. 

Wltl^ 


i-44 


L&VATER's     PHYSiaQHOMV* 


5  and  6.  With  was  tnith  are  old  age  and  youth  here  Gontraftedf 
In  the  head  of  the  old  woman  every  feature  prefents  the  expreffion 
of  beaitb  which  nothing  can  impair,  of  a  principal  of  life,  if  I 
may  fo  exprefs  myfelf,  altogether  inextinguifhable — the  moft 
allnring  freflmefs,  the  happieit  mixture  of  the  phlegmatic -fan- 
gumt  temperament,  are  difFufed  over  the  face  of  the  young 
perfon.  You  will  alfo  find  in  figure  5,  all  thefigns  of  longevity 
which  I  lately  indicated.  However  ungraceful,  however  dif- 
pkafing,  the  exterior  of  the  old  woman  may  be,  fhe  pofTelfes 
eftimablc  qualities  i  I  give  her  credit  for  a  charader  adlive  and 
obli^inp-,  a  mind  inured  to  the  exercife' of  patience— a  humour 
abundantly  fprightly,  with  all  its  drinefs — a  fpirit  habitually  at- 
tentive, in  fpite  of  a  total  want  of  cultivation.  — The  young  girl 
Is  c^oodnefs,  contehtmenc,  and  innocence  itfelf.  With  a  tran^- 
qmilHty  infeparable  from  a  phyfionomy  fo  fingularly  happy,  fhe 
will  trayerfe,  with  equal  compofure,  a  meadow  enamelled  witl^ 
Sowers,  and  a  road  beftrewed  with  briars  and  thorns.  The 
fmallell  vexation  aiHids  her,  even  to  the  (hedding  of  tears,  but  fhe 
IS  comforted  by  the  flighted  confolation. 


Eleven  Male  Heads. 

Let  us  run  ever  a  few  examples  more  of  the  different  ages 
af  human  life. 

J.  A  child  of  a  day  old.  Obferve  this  forehead  advancing- a- top, 
and  the  exceffive  fize  of  the  fltull,  vvhich  is  not  yet  clofed- 
Some  of  the  parts  are  too  ilrongly  marked :  this  is  a  mouth 
of  three  months  old,  and  the  eye  is  at  leafl  fix. 

Z,  Reprefents  the  fame,  a  lad  in  his  tenth  year  ;  but  the  eye 
h  too  feeble,  and  the  cavity  of  the  nofe  extravagant. 

3.  The  fame  ftill,  at  the  age  of  twenty.  The  eye  is  too  large, 
and  the  air  of  the  face  lefs  determined  than  yon  would  have  ex- 
pected from  No,  i. 

4.  Here 


Fiuiei44' 


VolM. 


23  7 


3;,A.VATER^S    PHYSIOGNjOMT.  I4I 

4«  Here  he  is  arrived  at  manhood.  If,  however,  at  the  tenth 
.year,  the  line  of  the  "forehead  is  fo  curved  as  in  2,  it  will  have 
^neither  at  thirty,  nor  at  fourfcore,  the  perpendicularity  of  4.  In 
,other  refpe£ts,  this  phyfionomy  is  pf  lingular  propriety  and 
dignity. 

5.  Here  we  behold  him  adyanccd  to  fifty.  I  (hall  only  cb- 
jc^  to  the  defigner,  that  the  nofe  is  much  too  aquiline,  compared 
with  the  cavity  of  2,  and  too  mafly,  compared  to  4.  Be- 
sides, the  forehead  of  this  laft  will  never  have  the  curve  of  ^. 

In  purfiiing  this  individual  through  thefe  five  flages  of  life,  we 
muft  conftantly  do  juftice  to  the  goodnefs  of  his  heart,  to  his 
talents,  to  his  aptitude  for  bufmefs,  to  his  upright  and  obliging 
charafter. 

If  6,  is  intended  to  reprefcnt  a  man  of  fixty,  he.  is  tooyounff 
hy  ten  years.  He  is  a  phlegmatic,  wholly  abforved  in  felf. 

Suppqfing  then  that  6,  is  only  fifty  years,  he  will  never  afTume 
jit  fixty  the  form  of  7.  Ten  years  are  not  fufiicient  to  produce 
a  chnnge  fo  great.  7.  announces,  moreover,  a  man  of  woith^ 
who  enjoys  life  calmly,  but  who,  in  every  refpeft,  is  -deftitute  of 
force  and  energy. 

The  gradation  of  the  remainder  of  the  ieries  appears  to  me 
fufficiently  well  obferved  :  8,  is  feventy,  9,  is  eighty,  10,  is 
ninety,  and  1 1  is  a  hundred  years  old ;  only  the  under  part  of 
^his  laft  face  is  too  plump. 

In  all  thefe  heads  the  frontal  finufes  are  got  fufficiently  pra» 

jninent. 

6,  May  refemble  7,  after  a  revolution  of  twenty  years  ;  but  I 
am  fully  affured,  that  7,  will  never  pafs  into  the  forms  10,  and' 
I  J.     His  conftitution  is  too  feeble,  his  fyftem  not  bony  enough, 
to  reach  the  utmofl  periods  of  old  age. 

Nofe 


fJ^S  XitTATER's     PHYSlOGNOMr. 

Nofe  S,  is  the  moft  fenfible.     No  one  of  thefe  phyfiono«mles 
|)Fomife&  a  great  man. 


Ten  Female  Heads; 

I,  A  ehild  of  five  years,  weak  In  mind.  If  at  this  age  the 
forehead  is  thus  prominently  bent  forward,  you  will  hardly 
€Xtra£l  from  it  fuperior  fa.culties-r— and  never  wiJl  the  phyfionomy 
acquire  the  happy  expreflion  of  2,  which  is  intended  to  reprefent 
the  fame  young  perfon  in  her  fifteenth  year.  Without  diftin- 
guifhing  herfelf  by  a  decided  fuperiority,  this  lad  difcovers  foli4 
fenfe  and  an  exquifite  judgment. 

5.^  Here  fhe  Is  at  five  and  twenty,  and  If  the  forehead  were 
a  little  more  tenfe,  the  analogy  with  2,  would  be  complete. 
There  is  much  goodnefs,  candour,  and  dignity,  in  this  face. 

But  I  cannot  conceive  how  4,can  be  profile  5,  grown  ten  years 
older.  Never  did  a  chin  which  advanced  at  thirty-five,  retreat 
at  forty-five  ;  never  could  nofe  3,  have  the  cavity  of  4,  and  ftill 
lefs  that  of  5  ;  never  will  forehead  3,  become  rounded  like  5. 
Jiead  4,  is  lefs  judicioub  than  3,  and  5,  lefs  than  4. 

6.  It  Is  Impofiible  to  reconcile  this  face  to  5.  The  nofe,  the 
mouth,  and  the  eye,  may  be  more  ftaid  by  ten  years,  but  they 
have  no  manner  of  refemblance.  This  forehead  is  even  ftUl  more 
ftupid  than  the  other. 

7.  Does  not  abfohitely  belong  to  this  clafs.  She  may  be  3 
woman  of  fixty-five,  I  admit  ;  that  is,  ten  years  older  than  the 
preceding  ;  but  It  Is  not  the  fame  perfon.  Her  character  has 
rothino- excellent ;  I  cannot  allow  her  great  penetration;  per- 
Jiaps  (he  even  gives  offence  by  a  flight  degree  of  levity  :  however, 
I  am  either  much  miftaken,  or  fhe  is  fenfible,  eafy  to  live  with, 
and  a  houfewife  who  manages  her  domeftic  affairs  with  order  and 
(^ifcretion. 

8.  I    aorain 


tAVATER's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  147 

8.  I  again  remark  a  want  of  conformity  between  this  andl 
the  preceding  face.  This  Is  a  woman  of  feventy-five  ;  but  the 
forehead  is  too  fmooth,  the  eye  too  open,  for  that  age«  A  phleg- 
matic fanguine  charafter  is  predominant  here.  What  is  rao5: 
judicious  in  this  phifionomy  is  the  look,  though,  taking  the 
whole,  there  is  nothings Hupid  to  be  found  in  it. 

9.  -Is  a  perfon  of  eighty-five.  The  eye  is  fufficlently  in  har- 
mony with  7,  but  the  other  features  have  nothing  in  com- 
mon. 

10.  Is  ninety-five.  This  profile  has  moil  refemblance  to  9, 
but,  in  both,  the  forehead  has  not  the  pyhliolo^ical  indica- 
tions of  extreme  old  age. 


LECTURE 


i^i^i^mtmi^tmmtrmti^^m 


LECTURE    VIII. 


CHAP.    I. 

Observations  on  new-eorm  Infants,  on  the  Dving  ani» 

THE  Dead. 

I. 

Ihaveliad  occafion  to  oblerve  feme  Infants,  immediately  on 
their  birth,  and  have  found  an  aflonifhing  resemblance  between 
their  profile  and  that  of  the  father.  A  few  days  after,  this 
refemblance  almoft  entirely  difappearcd  ;  the  influence  of  the 
air  and  of  food,  and  probably  alfo  the  change  of  pofture  had 
fo  altered  the  defign  of  the  face,  that  you  could  have  believed 
it  a  different  individual.  I  have  afterward;}  feen  two  of  thefe 
children  die,  the  one  at  fix  weeks,  the  other  at  four  years  of  age— - 
and,  about  twelve  hours  after  thei**  death,  they  completely  reco- 
vered the  very  profile  which  had  ftruck  me  fo  much  at  thtir  biith  ; 
only  the  profile  of  the  dead  child  was,  as   might  be  expedled, 

more 


'  iavater's    p  h  YsioGNOrviy,  149 

more  ftrongly  marked   and  more  tenfe  than  that  of  the  living, 
Cn  the  third  day  this  refemblance  began  to  difappear. 


2. 

1  knew  a  man  of  fifty  years,  and  another  of  feveiity,  both  of 
whom,  while  ah've.  appeared  to  have  no  manner  of  rcfembl  i<"^ 
to  their  cliildren,  and  whofe  phyfionimics  belonged,  if  I  may  fo 
cxprefs  myi"  If,  to  a  clafs  totally  different.  Two  days  after  their 
death,  the  profile  of  the  one  became  perfe(f\:ly  conformed  to  that 
of  his  eldeft  for,  and  the  image  of  the  other  father  might  be 
diftin(^ly  traced  in  the  third  of  his  fons.  This  likcnefs  was 
quite  as  diftindlly  marked  as  that  of  the  children,  who,  immedi* 
ately  after  their  death,  brought  to  my  rccolleftion  the  phyfiom- 
mies  which  they  had  at  their  birth.  In  the  cafe  of  which  I  am 
liow  fpeakiiig,  it  is  to  be  underftood,  that  the  features  were 
more  flrongly  marked,  more  hard ;  and,  notwithftanding  thij, 
the  refemblance  did  not  remain  beyond  the  third  day. 


•     3* 

As  often  as  I  have  feen  dead  perfons,  fo  often  have  I  made 
an  obfcrvation  which  has  never  deceived  me  ;  That  after  a  fliort 
interval  of  fixteen  or  twenty-four  hours,  fomet  cs  even  fooner, 
according  to  the  malady  whuh  preceded  death,  tlie  defign  of  the 
phyfjonomy  comes  out  more,  and  the  features  become  iiifiuilely 
more  beautiful  then  they  had  been  during  life  5  they  acquire  more 
precifion  and  proportion,  yon  may  perceive  in  them  more  harmo-  j 
ny  aiid  homogeneity,  they  appear  more  noble  and  fublime. 

Has  not  every  one  of  us,  I  have  often  reflected  in  fdence,  a 
primitive  phyliunomy,  tlie  origin  and  effence  of  which  muft  be 
be  divine?  Muft  not  this  fundamental  phyfionomy  have  been 
difturbed,  and,  if  1  may  be  aU.  wed  the  cxprcfHon,  fubmerged, 
by  the  flux  and  reflux  of  events  and  pailions  ?     Aud  may  it  not 

gradually 


ij^QF  lavater'?    physiognomv. 

gradually  re-eftablifh  itfelf  in  the  calm  of  death,  as  muddy  water 
works  itfelf  clear,  when  it  is  no  longer  flirred  ? 


I  have  likewlfe  had  frequent  occafion  to  attend  the  dying  5 
I  have  leen  fone  of  them  whofe  faces  had  always  appeared  to  me 
Ignoble,  exprefling  neither  elevation  of  mind,  nor  greatnefs  of 
character,  A  few  hours,  and,  in  fome  inftances,  a  few  moments, 
before  death,  their  phyfionomies  became  vifibly  ennobled.  Co- 
lour, defign,  expreflion,  all  was  changed.  Aceleftial  morning  was 
beginning  to  dawn  !  another  Hate  of  exiilence  was  at  hand  !— 
The  molt  inattentive  obferver  was  conftrained  to  fubmit  to 
evidence  ;  the  hardeft  heart,  to  give  way  to  feeling ;  the  moft. 
fceptical  fpirit  to  embrace  the  faith.— Immortality  feemed  to 
burfl;  through  the  clouds  of  morality  ;  a  ray  of  the  divine  image 
difiipated  the  horrors  of  diffolution.— I  turned  afidemy  head,  and 
adored  in  filence.  Yes,  the  glory  of  God  is  ftill  made  manifeft  in 
the  weakcll,Jn  the  moll  imperfect  of  men  i 


CHAP.    II. 

» 

Of  the  Influence  of  the  Imagination  on  the  forma- 
tion OF  Man,  on  his  Physionomy,  and  on  his  Charac- 
ter;, 

I  muft  reftrid  myfelf  to  fome  fugitive  obfervations  on  a  fubjedl 
capable  of  furnifhing  matter  for  volumes.  I  have  neither  the  ne- 
ceflary  leifure  nor  the  information  that  is  requifite  ;  nor  a  call 
fufficiently  decided,  to  give  it  a  thorough  inveftigation  :  it  is  im- 
poiTible  for  me,  however,  to  pafs  it  in  total  fjlence.  The  little  I 
fhall  fay,  isi  ntende  draerely  to  engage  others  to  meditate  on  a  fub- 
je^ii)  important, 

.  ,  Our 


LAVAtER*S     PHYSIOGNOMY.  t^t 

Our  imagination  operates  upon  oUr  phyjlonomy.  It  aflirailates  the 
face  in  fome  meafure,  to  the  objedl  of  our  love  or  hatred.  This 
object  retraces  itfclf  before  our  eyes,  becomes  vi%'ificd,  andthence- 
foi  ward  belongs  immediately  to  the  fphereof  our  a^livity.  The 
phyfionomy  of  a  man  very  much  in  love,  who  did  not  think  him- 
felf  obferved,  will  borrow,  I  am  fure  of  it,  fome  traits  of  the  be- 
loved objedl  who  employs  all  his  thoughts,  vi'hom  his  imagination 
reproduces,  whom  his  tendernefs  Cakes  delight  in  embelhihing,  to 
whom  he  afcribes,  perhaps,  in  abfence,  perfe6lions  which,  pre- 
fent,  he  could  not  dif:over  in  her.  This  fpecies  of  phyfionomical 
analogy  certainly  could  not  efcape  an  experienced  obferver  ;  jiilt 
as  it  would  be  eafy  to  trace  in  the  ferocious  air  of  a  vindictive  per* 
fon,  certain  traits  of  the  adverfary  whofe  downfall  he  is  medita- 
ting. Our  face  is  a  mirror  which  refledls  the  objefts  for  which 
v/e  have  a  fingular  afFeftion  or  averfion.  An  eye  lefs  acute  than 
that  of  angels,  would  perceive,  perhaps,  on  the  face  of  the 
chrlftian,  in  the  fervour  of  devotion,  a  ray  of  the  Divinity.  A 
very  lively  reprefentation  frequently  affeftsus  more  than  the  reali- 
ty. We  frequently  attach  ourfelves  more  vehemently  to  the 
image,  v/e  indentify  ourfelves  more  eafily  with  it,  than  we  could 
do  with  the  obje6l  itfelf.  Suppofe  a  man  who  had  got  a  near 
view  of  an  angel— of  a  God — of  the  Melliah,  during  his  pilgrim- 
age upon  the  earth — who  had,  1  will  not  fay,  contemplated  him 
at  leifure,  in  all  the  fplendour  of  his  majeiiy,  but  only  enjoyed  a 
rapid  glimpfe— »fuch  a  man  muft  be  entirely  deftitute  of  imagina- 
tion and  fenfibility,  if  an  afpeft  fo  augull  did  not  imprint  on  his 
countenance  fome  of  the  traits  which  mud  have  ftruck  him. 
His  phyfionomy  muft  infallibly  have  borne  fenfible  marks  of  the 
Divinity  vv'ho  filled  his  foul,  the  Deum  propior.Em. 

Our  imagination  a8s  not  only  on  ourfei'ves-y  it  aBs  alfo  on  others,'-^ 
The  imagination  of  the  mother  has  an  influence  on  the  child  in 
her  womb,  and,  for  this  reafon  care  Is  taken  to  amufe  women 
during  pregnancy,  to  entertain  them  with  pleafant  ideas,  and 
even  to  procure  for  them  a  fucceffion  of  agreeable  objects.  But, 
if  I  am  not  miftaken,  it  is  not  fo  much  X.\iQ  fight  ot  a  beautiful 
form,  or  of  a  fine  portrait,  or  any  other  fimilar  means,  that  will 

Vol.  III.  L  produce 


1^2  L  Abater's  p  HYsioGNoMY. 

produce  tKe  defired  effe6l — it  is  rather  to  be  expelled  from  the 
interejl  which  thefe  beautiful  forms  infpire  at  particular  moments. 
That  which  operates  immediatclv  upon  us,  it  is  the  affeftion  of 
the  foul,  a  fpecies  gf  glance  which  may  be  afcribed  to  it  ;  and,  in 
all  this,  the  imagination,  properly  fo  called,  a6ls  only  as  a  fe- 
condary  caufe  :  it  is  only  the  organ  through  which  that  decilive, 
and,  in  forae  meafure,  repulfive  look  pafTes.  Here  it  is  lliil  the 
fpirtt  that  quickemth  ;  thefieJJo^  and  the  image  of  tl^e  flefh,  confider- 
ed  only  as  fuch,  profiteth  nothing.  Unlefs  looks,  of  this  kind  arc 
animated  and  viiijied,  they  cannot  annimate  and  vivify  in  their 
turn.  A  fingle  look  of  love,  drawn,  if  I  may  ufe  the  expreflion, 
from  the  bottom  of  the  foul,  is  certainly  more  efficacious  than  a 
long  contemplation,  than,  a  reflefted  ftudy  of  the  moft  beautiful 
forms;  but  wcare  no  more  capable  of  artificially  exciting  in 
ourf«ilves  thefe  creative  looks,  than  we  can  acquire  the  power  of 
changing  or  embellifhing  our  form,  by  contemplating  and  ftudy- 
ing  it  before  a  mirror.  Whatever  creates,  whatever  a£ls  powerful- 
ly upon  our  interior,  has  its  fource  from  within,  is  a  gift  of 
heaven.  Nothing  can  introduce  it,  or  prepare  the  way  for  it  ; 
in  vain  will  you  attempt  to  difpofe  the  intention,  the  will,  or  the 
faculties  of  the  fubje6t  which  muft  produce  thefe  eflFed:s.  Neither 
beautiful  forms  nor  monlters  art  the  work  of  art,  or  of  a  particular 
ftudy — they  are  the  refult  of  accidents,  which  fuddenly  ftrike  the 
acting  objed:  at  certain  chofen  moments  ;  and  thefe  accidents  de- 
pend on  a  providence  which  over-rules  all  things,  on  a  God  who 
orders  and  determines  every  thing  beforehand,  who  diredls  and 
perfedsall. 

If,  however,  you  perfift  in  a  difpofition  to  extort  from  nature 
extraordinary  effeds  be  lefs  folicitous  to  affe£l  the  fenfes  than  aft 
upon  Internal  feeling.  Learn  to  excite  It,  to  awaken  it,  at  the  mo- 
ment it  is  ready  to  buvil  forth,  and  when  in  order  to  declare  itfelf, 
it  only  waits  your  call-— learn  to  bring  it  forward  at  the  proper 
inilant— and  be  afTured  that  it  will  feek,that  it  will  find,  of  itfelf, 
the  neceffary  aid.  But  this  internal  feeling  muft  exijl  before  it 
c,an  be  roufed  or  brought  forward.  Begin  then  with  making  fure 
that  you  have  Infpired  it,  for  we  cannot  make  It  fpring  up  at 

pleafure* 


LAVATER   S    PHYSIOGNOMY.  I53 

pleafurc.  Similar  coniiderations  ought  not  to  efcape  thofe  who 
pretend  to  efFeft  things  almofl  miraculous,  by  means  of  refined 
fyftems,  or  by  methodical  plans  ;  all  their  precautions,  ail  their 
pfychological  combinations,  will  be  merely  thrown  away,  and  I 
Ihall  always  call  to  their  recollection  thefe  words  of  the  Song  of 
Songs  /  •'  I  charge  you,  O  ye  daughters  of  Jei'ufalem,  by  the 
"  roes  and  by  the  hinds  of  the  field,  that  ye  ilir  not  up,  nor 
**  awake  my  love,  till  he  pleafe.  The  voice  of  my  beloved  V* 
**  the  creative  genius,  "  behold  he  cometh  leaping  upon  the 
**  mountains,  feipping  upon  the  hills.'* 

According  to  my  principles  every  conformation,  fortunate  or 
unfortunate,  depends  on  certain  unforefeen  moments,  and  thefe 
moments  have  the  rapidity  and  the  vivacity  of  lightning.  E'very 
creation^  of  whatever  kind  it  be,  is  momentaneous.  The  develope- 
ment,  the  nourifhment,  the  changes,  whether  to  better  or  worfc, 
are  the  work  of  time,  of  education,  and  of  art.  The  creative 
pcwer  is  not  to  be  acquired  by  theories ;  a  creation  admits  not  of  pre^ 
paratjon,  YoU  may  indeed  couterfeit  mq/ks — -but  living  and  a6tlng 
beings,  whofe  exterior  and  interior  are  in  perfedl  harmony— /Wo-^^ 
of  the  Divinity— ^c?in  you  flatter  yourfelf  with  being  able  to  form 
them  ?  can  you  wind  them  up  like  a  piece  of  mechanifm  ?  No, 
they  mult  be  created  and  engendered — and  I  will  add,  that  this  is 
•not  of  bloody  nor  of  the  luilf  of  ihefefli^  nor  of  the  will  of  many  but 
of  God  only. 

The  imagination,  when  it  is  animated  by  fentlment  and  paf- 
flon,  operates  not  only  upon  ourfelves,  and  upon  the  objedts  which 
are  before  our  eyes — it  operates  alfo  in  abfence,  and  at  a  diftance  ; 
perhaps  even  futurity  is  comprehended  in  the  circle  of  its  inexpli- 
cable activity  ;  and,  perhaps,  v/e  muii  reckon  among  its  eiFedts, 
what  is  commonly  called  apparitions  of  the  dead.  Admittino-  as 
true  an  infinite  number  of  things,  remarkably  fingular,  of  this 
kind,  which  really  cannot  be  called  in  doubt ;  on  affociatino-  with 
them  analogous  apparitions  of  abfent  perfons,  who  have  rendered 
themfelves  vifible  to  their  friends  in  places  very  diftant  ;  on  fepa- 
ming  from  thefe  facts  every  thing  fabulous,  which  fuperflition  has 

L  2  ^ "      •    blended 


154  LA\'ATER."s      FKYSrOGNOMY. 

blended  with  them  ;  on  afli^nin^f  to  them  tlieir  real  value*  and  on 
Comblnmg'thcm  with  fo  many  authentic  anecdotes  related  of  pre- 
fentiments — we  ilial!  be  able  toelhiblidi  an  hvpothefis,  worthy  of 
occupying  one  of  the  firfl  ranks  in  this  clafs  of  philofophlcalpro- 
^babilities.     The  hypothefis  is  this  : 

The  imagination,  excited  by  the  clejircs  oflo've^  or  heatedly  any  other 
•oery  ardent  paffion,  operates  at  very  d'ljlant  time  i  and  places. 

A  fick,  a  dying  perfon,  or  any  one  who  apprehends  himfclf  to  be 
in  imminent  danger,  fighs  after  his  abfent  friend,  after  a  brother, 
a  parent,  a  wife.  They  are  ignorant  of  his  indipofition, 
of  his  danger  ;  they  were  not  thinking  of  him  at  that 
moment.  The  dying  man,  tranfported  by  the  ardour  of  his 
imagination,  forces  his  way  through  Hone  walls,  darts  through  in- 
tervening fpace,  and  appears  in  bis  adlual  fituation — or,  in  other 
terms,  he  gives  figns  of  his  prefence,  approaching  to  reality* 
Is  fiich  an  apparition  corporeal  ?  No.  The  fick,  the  dying  per- 
fon is  languiihing  \n  bed,  and  his  friend  is,  perhaps,  tofTing,  in 
perfetl  health,  on  a  temptftuous  ocean  :  real  prefence  becomes  of 
courfcj  a  thing  imptifTible,  "What  is  it  then  which  produces  this 
fpecies  of  manifeif  ation  ?  What  is  the  cavfe  which  acls,  while  the 
one  is  fo  far  diilaut,  upon  the  fenfes,  upon  the  vifual  faculty  of  the 
other?  It  is  the  imagination  — imagination  vehemently  excited  by 
iove  and  defire^ — concentrated,  if  I  may  fo  exprefs  myfelf,  in 
the  focus  of  paiTion  i  for  this  mull  be  prefuppofed,  were  we  even 
inclined  to  admit  an  intermediate  co-operation,  fince  there  is  no- 
thing bat  the  excefs  of  pailiou  which  could  juflify  the  idea,  the 
poinbility,  of  fuch  a  fpiritual  mediation.  The  hovj  of  the  qucf- 
t;o:i  ii  inexplicable,  [  allow  it  ;  but  the  fatls  are  evident,  and  to 
6tnj  them  would  be  offering  an  infult  to  all  hidorical  truth.  Let 
us  now  more  particularly  appjy  thefe  remarks  to  our  fubjedl:. 
May  there  not  be  fituation^  of  mind,  '\vl  which  the  imagination 
would  operate,  in  a  manner  analogous,  and  altogether  as  incom- 
priihenlible,  on  children  not  yet  born  ?  Tiie  incomprehenfibii-ty 
rather  liaggera  u-.  ;  1  feel  '\t,  I  know  it  -but  do  not  the  examples 
Tvhich  I  l4)r:nerly  quoted,  and  all  thoie  of  the  fame  kind  which 

might 


lavater's  physiognomy.  155 

might  be  produced,  prefent  the  fame  difficulties  :  Where  Is  the 
phyfical  certainty,  whofc  eirence  is  not  at  the  i\\me  tinie  incon- 
ceivable ?  Is  not  even  the  exiftcnce  of  God,  and  that  ot  his  works, 
at  once  pofitive  and  incomprehenfibJe  ? 

We  frequently  fee  children  born  pcrfedJy  conflituted^to  appear- 
ance, who  afterwards,  fometimes  not  till  fevcral  years  have  ekpf- 
td,  difcover  thofe  effeds  of  conformation  with  which  the  imagi- 
nation, or  the  prefcntiment  of  the  mother,  had  been  effefted,  be- 
fore, or  at,  or  after  the  moment  of  conception-  If  women  were 
able  to  keep  an  exaft  regiller  of  the  molt  remarkable  accidents 
which  befel  them  during  pregnaucy,  if  they  were  abletocombrae 
the  emotion?  which  they  have  felt,  give  an  account  of  the  (Iiocks 
which  then  minds  may  have  undcrgon^,  while  they  were  in  that 
condition,  they  might,  perhaps,  forefee  thepliyfiolagiciil,  philofo- 
phical,  intelle(S\ual,moral,and  phy  fiognomical,  revohitlonSjthroHgb 
which  each  of  their  children  had  to  pafs  ^  they  might,  pciliaps, 
be  enabled  to  fix  beforehand  the  Driucipal  epochs  of  the  life  ofshefe 
children.  When  the  imaeiuation  is  powexfuUv  acritated  by  dc» 
fire,  love  or,  hatred,  a  fiugle  in  Hunt  is  fuiScient  for  it  to  create  or 
to  annihilate,  to  enlarge  or  to  contvadx,  tofovm  giants  or  dwarfs,  to 
determine  beauty  or  uglinefs :  it  impregnates,  at  that  inflant,  the 
organic  foetus,  with  a  germ  of  growth  ordimtnution,  of  wiUom 
or  folly,  of  proportion,  or  difproportiou,  of  health  ov  iicknefs,  of 
life  or  death  ;  and  this  germ  afterwards  unfolds  itfelf  only  at 
a  certain  time,  and  in  given  circumllances.  This  faculty  of  the 
foul,  in  virture  of  which  it  thus  produces  creations  and  metamor- 
phofes,  has  not  hitherto  been  fufliciently  inveiligated  ;  but  it 
fometimes  manifeils  itfelf,  neverthelefs,  in  the  mofl  decided  man- 
ner. To  coniidcr  it  in  its  effence  and  in  its  principles,  may  it  not 
be  analogous  to,  oj,  rather,  identically  the  fame  with,  that  w/r^<r2^ 
lousfakh,  which  may  be  excited  and  extended,  maintai3a(?d  Jind 
llrengthened,  by  means  of  external  aid,  where  it  already  c-xiils, 
but  which  cannot  be  communicated  to,  nor  inculcated  upon, 
minds  entirely  deftitute  of  a  principle  of  faith. — Wrhat  I  have  ad- 
vanced is  my  own  funple  perception  ;merely,  corijcdiurcs  purely 
hypothetical:  I  prefent  them   only  as  fuch.     More  corapkatly 

L  3  unfolded 


J^6  LAVATER.*S    PH  Y  S  lOG  N  0  My. 

unfolded,  they  might  ferve  to  elucidate  the  mod  hidden  myfle- 
ries  of  the  Phyfiognoniical  Science-— fed  tnanum  de  iahula. 


CHAP.    III. 

Observations  on  the,Mar.ks  which  Children  bring  inta 
THE  World  upon  them— -on  Monsters,  Giants,  and. 
Dwarfs, 

There  are  fome  children  born  with  marh  or  fpoti,  jull  as  there 
arc  monjiers,  giants  and  dwarfs.  All  thefe  fingularltlcs  really 
cxift,  and  are  inexplicable.  A  motif  er  is  a  living  and  organized 
being,  who  has  a  conformation  contrary  to  the  order  of  nature, 
who  is  born  with  one  or  more  members  too  much  or  too  little,  in 
whom  one  of  the  parts  is  mifplaced  ,  or  elfe  It  is  too  great  or  too 
fmall  in  proportion  to  the  whole.  By  marks  I  mean  certain  Imper- 
fedlions  or  fpots  which  children  fometlmes  bring  into  the  world 
with  th^m,  and  which  are  the  confequence  of  a  fudden  and 
powerful  impreffion  made  upon  the  mother,  during  her  pregnancy. 

The  deformity  of  monjlers,  except  thofc,  perhaps,  which  are 
born  with  fix  fingers,  always  extends  lefs  or  more,  to  their  phyfio- 
nomy,  and  their  features  are  much  lefs  happy  than  thofe  of  chil- 
dren regularly  organized.  The  too  much  the  too  little^  and  every 
irregularity  in  general,  has  an  influence  on  the  phyfionomy  and  on 
the  mind. 

To  explain  in  detail,  with  truth  and  exaftnefs,  the  phyfiogno- 
mical  charadler  of  the  different  fpecles  of  mongers,  their  intel- 
leftual  and  moral  faculties,  would  be  contributing  effentially  to 
the  advancement  of  our  Science.  Exceptions  and  extremes  may, 
ferve  as  abafis  to  general  rules. 

There  are  many  who  do  not  believe  in  hirth-rnarh^  and,  if  I 
mlftake  not,  the  following  are  fome  of  the  reafons  given  for  theii^ 

in-' 


LAVATER-S    PKYSIOGSOMY.  I57 

incredulity.  Firf!:,  certain  fpots  or  blen:ii(hes  are  made  to  pafs 
for  brrth-inarh  which  really  are  not  fach  :  the  truth  is  difguifed 
by  every  kind  of  rldiciiloiis  and  extravagant  ficlion,  and  this  it  is 
which  difgufts  the  Philofopher-^or,  rather,  the  Half-philofo- 
pher.  Secondly,  the  reahty  oi  h'lrth- marks  is  called  in  queilion, 
becaufethey  cannot  perceive  the  leaft  connedlion  between  the  ef- 
fe£l  and  the  caufe  ;  or,  thirdly,  becaufe  convincing  examples  are 
not  always  at  hand.  Finally,  in  molt  difputes,  men  fometimes 
affirm  or  deny  from  the  fpirit  qf  conJ;radIdion,  or  from  affe.dla- 
tion. 

For  my  own  part,  I  think  the  fa^ls  are  too  numerous,  and  too 
clearly  proved,  to  permit  an  impartial  obferver  to  doubt  of  the 
exidence  of  fuch  marks.  I  am  perfectly  difpofed  to  put  afide 
the  falfe  and  abfurd  exaggerations  which  have  frequently  been 
attached  to  thc^  fubjedl ;  but  how  many  children  are  every  day 
to  be  feen,  who  bear  upon  their  bodies  the  figures  or  traits  of 
animals,  the  colour  or  form  of  a  particular  fruit,  or  fome  other 
extraneous  mark?  Sometimes  it  is  the  impreilion  of  a  hand,  on 
the  fame  part  which  the  pregnant  woman  had  touched  at  the 
moment  of  furprize  :  fometimes  it  is  an  infuperable  averfion  to 
the  fame  objects  which  difgufled  the  mother  when  pregnant  ; 
fometimes  there  are  children  whp  retain  through  life  wounds 
or  ulcers,  in  cafes  where  the  imagination  of  the  m.other  has  been 
ilruck  with  the  afpedt  of  a  dead  anirnal :  in  a  word,  marks  of 
various  kinds  demonftrate  that. they  have  a  real  origin,  and  th?.t 
they  ought  not  to  be  afcribed  to  arbitrary  caufes,  Of  confe- 
quence,  we  are  conftrained  to  admit  as  true,  a  thing  which  is  in 
itfelf  incomprehenfible  ;  it  is  determined,  of  courfe,  that  the 
imagination  of  a  woman  with  child,  excited  by  a  momentaneou2 
paiGoii,  may  operate  on  the  fruit  of  her  womb. 

From  a  multitude  of  examples  which  might  be  quoted,  I  fhall 
feled  two,  oi)  the  authenticity  of  which  I  am  alTured  I  may  de- 
pend. 

A  preg« 


15^  iavater's  physiogj^om y. 

A  pregnant  lady  was  playing  at  cards,  and  in  taking  up  her 
hand  fhe  faw,  that  in  order  to  ilrike  a  brilliant  flroke,  fhe  Avanted 
only  the  ace  of  fpades.  The  laft  card  flie  took  up  was,,  in  efFefl:, 
,  the  one  in  queftion. — She  was  feized  with  an  immoderate  fit  of 
joy,  which,  like  a  fhock  of  ele6lricity,  communicated  itfelf  to 
her  whole  frame — and  the  child  fhe  bore  exhibited,  in  the  pupil 
of  the  eye,  the  form  of  an  ace  of  fpades  :  the  organ  bf  vilion  was 
in  no  other  refpedl  injured  by  this  extraordinary  conforma- 
tion. 

The  following  fa6l  is  Hill  more  aftoniHiing,  if  it  be  as  pofi- 
tively  certain  as  a  friend  of  mine  afTures  me,  in  writing,  that 
it  is. 

Aw'oraan  of  condition  at  Rinthal  took  a  fancy  while  pregnant, 
to  attend  the  execution  of  a  criminal,  who  had  been  condemned 
to  be  beheaded,  and  ta  have  his  right  hand  cut  off.  The  ftroke 
which  fevered  the  hand  from  the  body,  fo  terrified  the  pregnant 
lady,  that  fhe  turned  afide  her  head  with  an  emotion  of  horror, 
and  retired,  without  Haying  out  the  remainder  of  the  execution. 
She  was  delivered  of  a  daughter  with  only  one  hand,  who  was  ftill 
in  life  when  my  friend  communicated  to  me  this  anecdote  :  the 
other  hand  came  away  feparately,  immediately  after  the  birth. 

Having  maintained  that  the  affeftions  of  the  mother  produce 
a  phyfical  influence  on  her  child,  I  will  go  fo  far  as  to  affirm 
that  they  may  have  moral  effefis  alfo.  I  have  been  told  of  a 
phyfician,  who  never  could  leave  the  chamber  of  a  patient  with- 
out Healing  fomething.  He  prefently  loft  all  recolle£lion  of  the 
thefts' which  he  had  committed,  and  his  wife  always  took  care, 
at  nlo-ht,  to  fearch  his  pocKets  for  keys,  fnuff.boxes,  tweezer- 
cafes,  fciffars,  thimbles,  fpediacles,  buckles,  fpoons,  and  other 
trinkets,  in  order  to  reftore  them  to  the  proper  owners.  An- 
other inftance  is  related  of  a  beggar-boy,  who,  about  two  years 
of  age,  was  taken  under  the  proteftion  of  a  noble  family.  His 
education  was  carefuly  attended  to,  and  the  experiment  fuc- 
ceeded  wonderfully  well  —only  he  couid  not  be  taught  to  over- 


LAVATEPv's    PKYSICG  N"OMY.  159^ 

eome  a  pvopenfity  to  Healing.  It  mull  therefore  be  fuppofed,  I 
fhould  think,  that  the  mothers  of  tliefetwo  extraordinary  thieves 
had  analogous  propenfities  during  their  pregnancy.  Perfons  of 
this  defcription  are  rather  to  te  pitied  than  blamed.  According 
to  every  appearance,  their  actions  are  altogether  as  involuntary, 
^s  mechanical,  and,  perhaps,  as  little  criminal  in  the  fight  of  God, 
as  the  motion  of  the  fingers,  or  any  other  of  thofe  contorfions 
into  vi'hicli  wt  fall  in  our  moments  of  abfence,  or  of  ferlous  medi- 
tation, and  of  which  we  have  neither  confcioufnefs  nor  recollec* 
tion.  The  end  of  our  a6lions  alone  muft  det-ermfne  their  moral 
merit,  juil  as  their  poTifical  imrit  rnuft  be  eflimated  from  the  con- 
Sequences  which  afFedl  fociety.  With  refpeft  to  our  two  thieves, 
1  imagine  that  their  unfortunate  habit  no  more  corrupted  the 
fentiments  of  the  heart,  than  the  pupil  of  the  eye,  formed  like 
an  ace  of  fpades^  injured  the  f^ght  of  the  child  whom  we  men- 
tioned a  little  ago.  Probably  too  they  had  not  the  phyfionomy 
of  rogues  :  I  am  fure,  at  leaft,  that  no  one  could  have  perceived 
in  them  that  eager,  dark,  and  knaviih  look,  which  belongs  to 
thieves  by  profellion.  Perfens  of  a  character  fo  fmgular  are  not 
often  to  be  met  with  :  I  have  never  feen  any  fuch  :  it  is  impoffi- 
ble  for  me,  therefore,  to  form  a  judgment  of  their  phyfionomy 
from  experience  :  but  I  can  an f we r  for  it,  beforehand,  that  there 
mull  be  in  their  features  fome  diftlnclive  fign  of  this  remarkable 
originality. 

The  hypothelis  which  I  have  been  endeavouring  to  eftablifli, 
may  alfo,  as  I  think,  be  applied  to  giants  and  dwarfs ;  to  fuch, 
at  leart,  as  are  fo  accidentally.  It  is  a  concentrated  look  of  the 
mother  which  forms  both,  at  certain  given  moments.  Whatever 
may  be  in  this,  it  will  not  be  eafy  to  produce  me  an  inftance  of 
any  one  giant,  of  any  one  dwarf,  perfe6tly  found  in  heart  and 
mind  ;  that  is,  in  the  fame  degree  with  a  thoufand  other  indi- 
viduals, who  are  regularly  conilituted.  A  new  and  convincing 
proof  that  nature  i&^true  in  all  her  produd^ions,  and  that  ftie 
never  deviates  without  caufe  from  her  rules  of  proportion. 
Great  mental  weahiefs  is  the  ufual  portion  of  giants-— ^r;?/}  Jlupi-* 
Sty  that  of  dwarfs. 

ADDITION 


.1 5o  i  A  V  A  T  E  r's     physiognomy* 


ADDITION    N. 

This  plate  reprefents  a  young  girl,  who  was  exhibited,  feme 
time  ago,  in  feveral  of  the  cities  of  Europe.  Her  body  was 
fprinkled  all  over  with  little  tufts  of  hair,  like  a  hind's,  and  hei* 
back  covered  vi^ith  a  great  many  fpongy  excrefcences,  llkewife 
fumifhed  with  hair  of  the  fame  kind.  It  is  alledged  that,  dur- 
ing pregnancy,  the  mother  of  this  child  had  quarrelled  with  a 
neighbour  on  acccount  of  a  ftag.  The  copy  under  review  was 
drawn  from  nature,  and  I  can  anfwer  for  its  exa6lnefs.  It  is 
certain  that  the  excrefcences  were  very  itrongly  marked,  and 
though  they  had  no  analogy  with  the  Hefli  of  the  flag,  yet  the 
father  maintained  that  they  had  a  greater  or  lefs  refemblance  to 
the  animal  when  flayed;  and,  what  may  be  confidered  as  a 
ftronger  proof,  the  tufts  refembled  the  hair  of  a  (lag  or  fallow 
deer,  not  only  in  colour,  but  in  the  manner  of  infertion,  and  in 
the  arrangement  or  lying  of  the  hair.  The  tufts  which  grew 
put  of  the  forehead,  the  arms,  and  legs,  were  alfo  of  a  fper 
cies  entirely  different  from  the  hair  of  the  head.  A  phenome- 
mon  fo  ftrange  is  a  ftriking  inftance  of  the  force  and  effe6l  of 
imagination  in  fome  women  with  child.  I  mull  farther  obferve, 
that  the  young  perfon  in  queflion  pofTelTed  prodigious  bodily 
ilrength,  and  an  accuracy  in  her  fenfe  of  feeling  altogether  un- 
common. Her  flature  and  iiefh,  her  form,  her  complexion  and 
phyfionomy,  her  attitudes  and  gcftures,  all  announced  a  pre? 
|?ia,ture  and  indefatigable  virago. 


ADDITION    O, 

I  fubjoin  the  profile  of  a  girl  of  fixteen  whofe  flature  fcarcely 
exceeded  two  feet.  Her  phyfjonomy  fuggefls  abfolutely  no  othe;- 
Jdea  but  that  of  a  confolidated  infancy,     Th?  forehead  bent  fdi> 

wardjr 


Foffeibo. 


YolM 


23d 


'layater's  physiognomy,  i6i 

ward,  indicates  the  phyfical  imperfeftlons  of  the  firfl  ftage  of  hu- 
man life,  and  the  hollow  inflexion  of  the  root  of  the  nofe  is  the 
infallible  fign  of  mental  weaknefs,  or  want  of  vigour.  This, 
head,  notwithftanding,  prefents  a  certain  air  of  maturity,  which 
feems  to  hd.vc preciplaUd  itfelf,  if  I  may  ufe  the  expreffion,  into 
the  under  part  of  the  face,  and  which  predominates  from  the 
under  lip  to  the  neck.  The  experienced  phyfionomill  will  eafily 
diilinguifh,  in  the  whole  what  Is  childifh  from  what  is  mature. 

This  dwarf,  however,  did  not  want  fenfe,  or  rather,  (he  could 
prattle,  and  had  a  retentive  memory;  the  eye  and  the  mouth 
are  fufficient  evidence  of  this  ;  but  her  form  and  features  are 
equally  incompatible  with  the  graces  and  the  delicacy  of  fent^ment. 


CHAP.    IV- 

Of  the  Reciprocal  Ii^fluence  of  Physionomies, 

We  all  naturally  afliime  the  habits,  geftures  and  looks  of  per- 
ions  with  whom  we  live  in  clofe  Intimacy.  We  become,  In  fome 
meafurc,  alTimilated  to  thofe  for  whom  we  have  conceived  a 
ftrong  affedllon  ;  and  one  of  two  things  will  ever  take  place  :  the 
beloved  object  will  either  transform  us  into  his  image,  or  we  will 
^ave  a  transforming  influence  over  him.  Every  thing  without  us, 
afts  upon  us,  and  is  reciprocally  a£xed  upon  by  us  ;  but  nothing 
operates  fo  efEcacioufly  upon  our  individuality,  as  that  which 
gives  us  pleafure  ;  and  nothing  undoubtedly  is  more  amiable,  nor 
more  calculated  to  Infplre  delight,  than  the  human  face.  What 
renders  it  lovely  to  us  is  preclfely  its  refemblance  to  our  owno 
Could  it  poffefs  an  infl:ucnce  over  us,  could  it  attradt  us,  were 
there  not  points  of  attratlion  which  determine  the  conformity, 
pr,  at  leaft,  the  homogeneity  of  its  form  and  features  with  ours  ? 
I  {hall  not  undertake  to  fathom  the  depths  of  this  incomprehenfi* 
feie  myftery  ;  I  pretended  not  to  refolve  the  difficulties  of  the 


1^2  LAVATER's     rHYSlOGNOP^Y. 

ho'Wi  but  th-QfaSi  is  indubitable  :  There  are  faces  ivhich  attra5i  eack 
cthery  as  there  are  others  nvhich  mutually  repel  :  the  conformity  of  fea- 
tures between  tioo  individuah  who  have  a  rautiial  fympathy^  and  who 
live  in  habits  of  familiarity^  keeps  pace  with  the  developement  of  their 
qualities y  and  eflahlifloes  between  them  a  reciprocal  communication  of 
their  private  and  perfonal  fenfations .  Our  face  prefervcs,  if  I  may 
venture  to  ufe  the  expreflion,  the  reflex  of  the  beloved  obje6l. 
This  relation  (oir.etin^ies  depends  only  on  a  ilngle  pointj  drawn 
from  the  moral  character,  or  from  the  phyfionomy  ;  it  frequently 
isconfir>€d  t3-a  Tingle  feature  ;  it  frequently  hinges  on  inexplicable  - 
fingularities,  which  do  not  admit  of  any  fp.ecies  of  definition. 

Xhe  conformity  of  the  bony  fydem  fuppofes  likexvife  that  of 
the  nerves  and  of  the  mufclcs.     It  is  true  at  the  fame  time,  that 
difference  of  education  may  afTctt  thefe  lad  to  fuch  a  degree,  that 
an  "experienced  eye  will  no  longer  be  in  a  condition  to  trace  the 
points  of  attra^lion  ;  but  place  the  two  fundamental  forms  which 
have  this  refcmblance  ciofe  by  each  other — they  will  mutually 
attraiSi ;  remove  the  fetters  which  co,r;ftrained  them,  and  nature 
will  prelently  triumph  ;  they  will  recognize  each  other  as  bone  of 
their  bone  andfleflj  of  their  fejhy  and  their  affimllation  will  rapidly 
advance.     Nay,  more  ;  even  faced  which  differ  as  to  the  funda« 
mental  form,  may  mutually  love,  communicate,  attradl,  afllmi- 
Jate  J  and,  if  they  are  of  a  tender,  feeling,  fufceptible  character, 
this  conformity  wdll,  in  time,  eilablifli  between  them  a  relation  of 
phyfionomy,  which  will  be  the  more  (triking  froni  the  prlginal 
♦iiff^rence. 

it  \yould  be  highly  interefting  accurately  to  determine  the  cha- 
racter of  phyfionomies  which  eafily  afiimilate.  There  is  no  occa- 
fion  for  my  obferving,  that  there  are  phyfionomies  which  univer- 
fally  attract,  others  which  repel  evey  one,  and  fome  which  are  en- 
tirely indifferent  >  that  there  are  fome  which  attradl  or  repel  us  by 
turns, and  thofe  which,  in  attracting  fome, repel  others.  Phyfiono- 
mies univerfally  repelling,  only  ferve  to  degrade,  more  and  more, the 
ignoble  faces  over  which  they  exercife  their  empire.  Indifferent^ 
they  have  no  iniiucnce  at  all.     And  finally,  if  fl!if/?-j<?/w,  they  give 

and 


LAVAtER's     PHYSIOGNOlVlV.  163 

iind  receive,  either  exclufively,  or  by  turns,  or  reciprocally  all  at 
once,  In  the  firlt  cafe  they  prcjduce  only  very  flight  changes  ; 
in  the  fecond,  the  efFcdls  are  more  feniible  ;  in  the  third,  tTiey  ex- 
cite complete  revolutions  :  they  fuppofe  thole  fouls,  fpoken  cf  by 

*  Mr.  Heemderhuys,  *  which  fortunately  or  unfortunately  unite 

*  the  finefland  moil  exquifite  taft,  to  that  excefllve  internal,  elaf- 

*  ticity   which  makes  them  love   and  dtfire  with   a  degree  of 

*  phrenzy,  and  feel  with  a  fenlibiiity  bordering  on  infanity  ;  In 

*  otlier  words,  fouls  which  are  either  modified  or  placed  In  fuch  a 

*  manner,  that  their  attraftive  force  finds  the  leaftpoiliMe  obllacle 

*  'in  its  tendency  toward  their  object. '  It  would  be  of  import- 
ance to  ftudy  this  reciprocal  Influence  of  phyfionomies,  this  com* 
niunicatlon  of  fouls.  The  aflimilaticn  has  always  appeared  to  me 
the  moil  ftriking,  in  the  cafe  when,  without  any  foreign  in- 
tervention, chance  united  a  genius  purely  communicative  and  a 
genius  purely  formed  to  receive,  who  attached  ihemfelves  to  each 
other  from  Inclination,  or  from  neccffity.  Had  the  fiifl:  exhaufced 
all  its  (lock,  and  the  fecond  received  all  that  it  wanted — the  afli- 
niilation  of  their  phyfionomies  like  wife  ceafed  ;  It  had  attained, 
if  I  may  fo  exprefs  myfelf,  Its  degree  offaiie/y. 

Let  me  addrefsone  word  more  to  thee,  young  man  of  dangcr- 
0113  eafinefs  cf  temper  and  fenfibility  !  Be  clrcumfpetfl  In  thy  inti- 
macies, and  throw  not  thyfelf  Windly  Into  the  arms  of  a  friend 
whom  thou  hall  not  fufficlently  proved.  A  falfe  appearance  of 
fympathy  and  conformity  may  cafily  feduce  thee  :  abandon  not 
thyft-lf  to  Its  influence.  There  exiils,  undoubtedly,  fome  one 
whole  foul  Is  in  unifon  with  thine.  Have  patience  ;  fooner  or 
later  he  will  prefent  himfclf,  and  when  thou  hall  found  him,  he 
wmH  iuport  thee,  he  will  raife  thee  up  ?  he  will  fupply  thee  with 
■w^iat  thou  needeft,  and  relieve  thee  of  what  is  burdenfome.  The 
fire  ot  his  looks  will  animate  thine,  his  melodious  voice  will  foften 
the  roughnels  of  thine,  his  reu£(51:ing  prudence  will  temper  thy 
impetuous  vivacity.  The  te  icernefs  which  he  feels  towards  thee 
wid  be  imprinted  on  the  features  of  thy  face,  and  all  who  know 
him,  will  recognize  Mm  In  thee.  Thou  wilt  be  what  he  is,  and 
thou  wilt  remain  no.  the  lefs  what  thou  avt.     The  fentlment  of 

friend  fiiip 


164  lAvat.'er's  physiognomy. 

frlei;id{liip  will  enable  thee  to  difcover  in  him  qualities  which  an 
indifferent  eye  virlil  fcarce|y  perceive.  It  is  this  faculty  of  feeing 
and  of  fqeling  what  is  divine  in  him,  which  affiniilates  Ihy  phyli^ 
onomy  to  hisi 

•  Do6trIae  like  this  might  become  extremely  ufeful.  I  am  hot  in 
a  condition  at  prefent  to  unfold  it  more  at  large  ;  but,  before  I 
conclude^  I  fliall  reft  it  on  two  paffages  of  ScripturCj  the  applica- 
tion of  which  becomes  a  glorious  fupport  to  my  thefis.  We  all 
*w'tth  open  face^  beholding^  as  in  a  glafsy  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are 
changed  into  the  fame  image  from  glory  to  glory— ^2  Cor.  iii.  1 8.  Jf'ls 
flmll  he  like  hiniyfor  ix>eftda'lfee  him  as  he  is — i  John  iii.  2. 


ADDITION.?. 

1.  The  portrait  of  a  Hypochondriac,  whom  a  longferlesof 
vexations  and  anxieties  had  altered  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  his  ac- 
quaintance could  hardly  know  him.  His^  eyes  funk,  and  became 
haggard,   the  wings  of  the  nofe  were  drawn  upward,  the  extre- 

,  mity  of  the  lips  fell,  the  cheeks  grew  hollow.  Two  perpendicu- 
lar lines  placed  between  the  eyebrows,  immediately  above  the 
nofe,  Increafed  in  fize,  and  produced  feveral  wrinkles  which  fur- 
rowed the  forehead  acrofs.  In  a  word,  all  the  features  became 
ftrong  and  coarfe,  and  remained  a  coniiderable  time  in  this  ftate 
of  conftraint, 

2.  A  lituation  fo  painful  excited  the  moll  alarming  apprehen* 
fions  in  a  wife  who  loved  him,  and  was  tenderly  beloved.  Ac- 
cuftomed  to  fit  oppofite  to  him  at  table,  fne  had  an  eye  of 
companion  conftantly  fixed  upon  him.  She  carefully  ftudied,  and 
devoured.  If  I  may  ufe  the  expreffion,  with  an  eager  intereft, 
every  trait,  every  variation,  every  fhade  which  feemed  to  prefage 
the  diminution  or  Increafe  of  the  malady.  Her  attentive  obfer- 
vations  had  enabled  her  to  difccrn  every  emotion  which  difturb- 
cd  the  mind  of  her  hufband.  Not  a  fingle  ray  of  hope,  not  a 
fingle  fleeting  cloud  could  efcape  her  vigilant  tendernefs.     What 

was 


OPZ 


lavater's   physiognomy.  165 

was  the  confequence  at  length  ?  The  afFefling  fpe<5lacle, 
continuallybefore  her  eyes,  changed  her  phyfionomy,  and  it  ended 
in  a  complete  afiimilation  of  the  v/ife  to  the  hufband.  She  fell 
into  the  fame  indifpofition,  but,  by  judicious  treatment,  was  fooa 
reftored.  The  hufband,  too,  gradually  recovered  :  the  wife  was 
tranfported  with  joy,  her  phyfionomy  brightened,  the  traits  of 
melancholy  difappcared,  except  a  few  flight  traces.  This  happy- 
couple  live  afterward  in  perfect  health,  and,  within  the  year,  the 
lady  was  delivered  of  a  fon,  who  had  a  flriking  refemblance  to  his 
parents. 


LECTURE 


I  ^^^^'''^^i^BhimmHimmmmmmmemttmmamemammmxaBam^'mt.wL^m^i^iMB,  itSpr^Jsyt^Um^  KimKumMMlAi'VfSi^i*avamt.T\tiiafmtimiMmfmfmmmm!^Ktfi^^t 


LECTURE  IX. 


CHAP.  I. 


Of  the  Stature  and  Proportions  of  Tf^E  Body. 

It  would  be  eafy  to  compofe  a  pliyfiognomy  of  ftatures  and 
-proportions,  as  well  as  a  pathognomy  of  attitudes  and  poftures 
correfponding  to  them.  Without  being  able  to  embrace  this 
'  fubje6l  in  all  its  extent,  I  fhall  confine  myfelf  to  the  moll  effential 
remarks,  both  becaufe  1  am  writing  leclures  only,  and  becaufe 
a  great  many  other  fubjedls  ftill  remain  to  be  handled. 

Albert  Durer  is  unqjieftionably  the  author  who  has  given  us 
the  beft  theory  of  proportions,  and,  of  all  painters,  the  one  who 
mofi:  carefully  obferved  them  in  his  drawings.  With  regard  to 
attitudes  and  poftures,  no  one  is  fuperior  to  Chodowieckl,  as  well 
for  richnefs  of  Imagination,  as  for  truth  and  variety  of  expref- 
fion.     On  examining  the  works  of  thefe  two  artlfts,  on  adding 

to 


iavater's  physiognomy.  167 

to  thefe  the  ftudy  of  Raphael,  and  confuhing  daily  experience, 
my  readers  will,  without  difficulty,  adopt,  as  fo  many-axioms,  the 
following  propofitions  : 

1.  The  proportion  of  the  body,  and  the  relation  of  the  parts 
to  each  other,  determine  the  moral  and  intelledual  charader  of 
every  individual. 

2.  There  is  a  complete  harmony  between  the  ftature  of  the 
man  and  his  charaAer.  In  order  to  be  convinced  of  this  with 
the  greater  certainty,  begin  with  ftudying  extremes,  giants  and 
dwarfs,  bodies  excellively  fltfhy,  or  too  lean. 

3.  The  fame  harmony  fubfifts  between  the  form  of  the  face 
and  that  of  the  body  ;  both  the  one  and  the  other  of  thefe  forms 
is  in  accord  with  the  features  of  the  phyfionomy,  and  all  thefe 
refults  are  derived  from  one  and  the  fame  caufe. 

4.  A  body  adorned  with  every  polTible  beauty  of  proportion, 
would  be  a  phenomenon  altogether  as  extraordinary  as  a  man  fu- 
premely  wife,  or  of  fpotlefs  virtue. 

5.  Virtue  and  wifdom  may  refide  in  all  flatures  which  do  not 
deviate  from  the  ordinary  courfe  of  nature. 

6  But  the  more  perfect  the  ftature  and  form  are,  wifdom  and 
*     virtue  will  more  decidedly  exerclfe  there  a  fuperior,  command- 
ing, and  pofitive  empire  :   on  the   contrary,  the  more  that  the 
body  falls  fhort  of  perfedlion,  the  moral  and  intellectual  faculties 
are  proportionally  inferior,  fubordinate,  and  negative. 

7.  Among  Matures  and  proportions,  as  among  phyfionomies, 
fome  are  unlvtrfally  attractive,  and  others  as  univerfally  repelling, 
or,  at  leaft  dlfpleafmg. 

Vol.  III.  M  CHAP. 


J  ^2'  LAVATER* 


S    PHYSIOGNOMT. 


CHAP.      II. 


Of  Attitudes,  Gait,  and  Posture. 

What  we  have  fald  oi  Jlature  and  proportions  refers  equally  t® 
attitude i  to  gait  3.n^  pojiiire.  Obferve  a  man  who  thinks  himfelf 
alone,  and  is  wholly  abtorbed  in  himftlf.  Whether  he  is  Hand- 
ing or  walking,  whether  he  is  fitting  or  lying  along,  all  his  atti- 
tudes and  all  his  motions  will  be  fignificant  ;  they  will  all  be  in 
harmony  with  the  proportions  and  ftature  of  his  body.  I  will 
even  venture  to  add,  that  a  ildliul  phyfionomift  will  deduce  from 
the  features  of  the  face  the  proportions  and  ftature  which  mull 
correfpond  to  them  ;  thefe  will  affift;  him,  in  their  turn,  to  indi- 
cate the  attitude  and  gait  ;  he  will  infer,  and  form  a  judgment' of, 
thefe  different  relations,  the  one  from  the  other.  I  will  go  ilill 
further,  and  maintain,  that  the  faithful  reprefentation  of  a  fcore 
of  our  attitudes,  chofen  with  difcernment,  and  at  moments  when 
we  believed  ourfelves  not  obferved  by  any  one,  might  lead  us  to 
the  knowledge  of  ourfelves,  and  become  a  fource  of  ufeful  'in- 
flru^lion  :  nothing  more,  perhaps,  would  be  necefifary  to  convey 
a  complcat  idea  of  the  chara6ler  of  every  individual. 


CHAP.    III. 

Of     Gestures. 

In  following  up  my  principle,  I  apply  it  to  geflure  likewife, 
Man  refembles  himfelf  in  every  thing.  He  is,  if  you  will,  the 
moft  contradiftcry  being  in  the  world,  but  he  is  not  the  lefs  al- 
ways himfelf y  always  the  fame,.  Nay,  his  very  contradidions  have 
their  homogeneity,  their  individuality,  their  propriety.  Every 
thing  in  us  is  phyhonomical,  ciiara6leriftical ;  every  thing,  with- 
out exception,  is  conformable,  and  correfponds  to  an  internal 

and 


lavatbr's  physiognomy.  tC>9 

and  invifible  caufe.  Whatever  we  touch,  whatever  paiTes  through 
our  hands,  whatever  enters  into  the  fphere  of  our  adivity,  allies 
itfelf  to  us,  and  favours  of  us.  Our  image  reproduces,  preferves, 
and  multiplies  itfelf  in  all  that  pertains  to  us,  and  in  all  that  we 
do.  There  is  nothing  more  fignificant,  efpecially,  than  the 
guftures  which  accompany  the  attitude  and  the  gait.  Natural 
or  affeded,  hurried  or  flow,  impafTioned  or  cool,  uniform  or 
varied,  grave  or  airy,  free  or  conllrained,  eafy  or  ftiff,  noble  or 
mean,  haughty  or  humbly,  bold  or  tim.id,  becoming  or  ridiculous, 
agreeable,  graceful,  impofing,  threatening— the  gefture  is  varied 
in  a  thoufand  ways.  Learn  to  diftinguifli  and  to  catch  all  thefe 
/hades,  ancfyou  will  have  advanced  a  ftep  farther  in  the  phyfiog- 
nomical  career,  and  have  acquired  a  new  mean  to  facilitate  the 
ftudy  of  man.  The  aftoni(hIng  harmony  which  fubfifts, between 
the  gait,  the  voice,  and  the  gefture,  never  belles  itfelf. 

*  The  Greeks,*  fays  JVinchlmann^ '  were  lludious  of  obferving 

*  great  modefty  in  their  deportment,  and  in  their  aftions.    They 

*  even   thought   that   a   hurried  gait  muft  fhock  every  idea  of 

*  decency,  and  announce  a  kind  of  rufticity  of  manners.     With 

*  a  gait  of  this  fort  Demofthenes  reproaches  Nicobulus  :  to  talk  in- 

*  folently,  and  to  walk  faft<  are,  according  to  him,  one  and  the 

*  fame  thing.  In  conformity  to  this  way  of  thinking,  the  an- 
*'  cients   conlidered  a   flow  and  deliberate  pace  as  the  charac- 

*  teriftic  fign  of  a  generous  foul.'  Salujl,  fpeaking  of  Catalmef 
cxprefles  himfelf  thus  :  *  Colos  ejus  exfanguls,fcedt  oculii  cltus  modoy 

*  modo  tardus  tncejfus.^  And  muft  we  not  fuppofe  that  this  m« 
cqualily  In  the  gait  will,  of  necellity,  communicate  itfelf  to  the 
gefture,  and  quicken  or  retard  it  ?  , 

Our  gait  and  deportment  are  natural  only  in  part,  and  we 
generally  blend  with  them  fomething  borrowed  or  Imitated.  But 
even  thefe  imitations,  and  the  habits  which  they  make  us  con- 
tra6l,  are  ftill  the  refults  of  nature,  and  enter  into  the  primitive 
charadler.  I  can  never  exped,  for  inftance,  a  gentle  and  calm 
temper  from  a  man  who  is  always  buftling  about  violently  ;  nor 
apprehend  either  indecent  tranfport  or  excefs  from  one  whofc 

M  2  -  deportmc-nr 


lyO  LA  VATEr's     PHYSIOGNOMY* 

depoTtment  is  uniformly"  grave  and  fteady.  I  likewife  doubt 
whether  a  briflc  pace  can  be  confiflent  with  a  fluggi(h  and  indo- 
lent difpofition  ;  and  he  who  caielefsiy  crawls  along  ftep  by 
ftep,  fcarcely  announces  that  fpirit  of  aftivity  which  fteadily  pur- 
fues  its  obj.6l  through  the  midft  of  difficulty  and  danger.  Look 
at  a  Preacher,  an  Orator,  whofe  very  language  you  do  not  un- 
derfland.  His  exterior  and  geftures  will  enable  you  to  guefs 
what  is  the  principal  fubjc6l  of  his  difcourfe,  will  indicate  to 
you  the  moil  energetic  and  affeding  paffages,  will  difplay  to 
vour  imacrination  the  obie£ls  which  he  is  tracing-,  and  will  even 
help  you  to  form  a  judgment  of  the  order  and  clearnefs  with 
which  his  ideas  are  unfolded.  O  did  man  but  know  how  many 
languages  he  fpeaks  at  once,  in  how  many  forms  he  exhibits  him- 
felf  at  the  fame  inliant,  by  what  variety  of  expreffion  he  makes 
himfeif  known  to  his  fellow-creatures — with  what  dignity,  with 
what  wifdom,  would  his  words  and  a6lions  be  clothed  !  How 
careful  w6uld  -he  be  to  purify  his  fentiments  and  intentions  i 
How  different  would  be  be  from  what  he  is  !  Qualis  animo  ej}f 
talis  indcjfw,   and  riik  nothing  when  I  add,  talis  gejlu^     . 


ADDITIONS   TO    CHAPTERS  I.  II.  III.   Q^ 

I.  However  lingular  this  figure  may  be,  it  has  nothing  difpro- 
poriioiiate.  Perhaps,  ]iowever,  tiie  eye  is  too  fprightly  ;  but 
this  excepted,  there  is  much  harmony  in  the  whole.  You  have 
here  a  low  woman,  very  fimplc,  and  very  contrafted.  This  is 
an  ifolated  being,  v/hofe  blunted  attention  is  totally  undiredled, 
and  who  finds  herfelf,  if  I  may  ufe  the  exprefliou,  detached  from 
all  the  reft  of  the  creation.  Remark  well,  I  befeech  you,  the 
word  ifolated.  If  I  am  aflced  what  I  underftand  by  an  idiot ^  I  an- 
fwcr,  that  it  is  an  ifolated  perfon,  who  ads  without  having  an  ob- 
je<ft  ;  a  man  whofe  condu6l  wants  both  principle  and  connexion, 
who  propcfes  to  himfeif  nothing  like  an  end,  in  what  he  does. 
It  lijiupidity  to  a£l  without  having  an  obj^tl,  it  h  folly  to  purfue 
one  unworthy  of  us.  Ti»e  more  that  the  intention  of  an  aclion 
is  decidedly  marked,  the  more  our  efforts,  our  deportment,  and 

our 
I 


Fofle  170  ■ 


VolJE. 


141 


LAVATEr's    PHYSlCGiiOMY.  I/I 

«ur  geftures,  will  correfpond  to  it,  and  the  more  will  we  merit 
the  approbation  and  efteem  of  thofe  who  obferve  us. 

2.  The  fame  nullity,  the  fa'tae  vacancy,  the  fame  blunted  cu- 
riofity,  chara61erize  this  figure  alfo.  This  man  is  attached  to  no 
objeft  whatever;  and,  from  an  eifeft  of  his  natural  ftupidity,  he 
is  not  capable  of  forming  an  attachment.  The  body  favours  of 
the  condition  of  the  mind,  and  expteffes  it.  Hence  that  wide 
and  parched  mouth,  hence  that  whole  infipid  attitude^  thefe 
hanging  arms,  and  that  left  hand  turned  outward,  without  any 
apparent  motive.  Every  thing  here  is  in  unifon,  and  every  part, 
taken  feparately,  confirms  the  fad  idea  which  w€  had  formed 
of  the  whole. 

5.  The  gait  of  a  wife  man  is  affuredly  different  from  that  of 
an  idiot,  and  an  idiot  fits  very  differently  from  a  man  of  fenfe. 
The  attitude  of  the  iaft  announces  either  meditation,  or  recollec- 
tion, or  repofe.  The  changeling  refts  on  his  chair,  without 
knowing  why  :  he  feems  fixed  on  an  objed,  and  yet  his  look  is 
dire<^ed  to  no  one  thing  :  his  pofture  is  ifolated  like  himfelf. 
This  obfervation  furnifhes  me  with  another,  which  I  confider  as 
of  effential  importance  in  the  Art  of  Painting.  Moft  portraits 
offend  from  a  certain  expreffion  of  ilupidity,  and  from  ridiculous 
attitudes.  They  have  an  ifolated  air,  becaufe  each  perfon-jge  is  a 
being  apart,  to  whom  the  Artiil  has  given  neither  objedl  nor 
a£lion.  This  fault  may  be  remedied  by  the Jituahon  :  this  ought 
to  be  fimple,  and  clearly  developed  ;  it  fhould  be  directed  to  a 
determinate  end,  and  this  in  perfect  relation  to  every  thin^ 
elfe — it  is  this  which  conilitutes  the  merit  of  a  portrait. 

4.  This  attitude  indicates  a  ridiculous  affeftation  of  fuperi^ 
ority,  exercifing  its  empire  over  a  humhne  and  timid  character. 
Be  affured  of  it,  prefumption  of  every  kind  fuppofesyb//)'  at  bot- 
tom, and  lay  your  account  with  meeting  both  the  one  and  the 
other,  in  every  difproportioned  and  grofs  phyfionomy,  which 
affefts  an  air  of  folemnity  and  authority.  Nature  has  formed,  I 
IJiight  Fentiire  to  fay,  certain  heads  of  idiots  only  by  halves  :  one 

M  3  half 


172  LAVATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

half  of  the  face  has  been  made  at  the  expence  of  the  other  ;  and 
the  only  queftion  is,  Whether  of  the  two  predominates  ?  Is  it 
the  under  part  which  gains  the  afcendant  ?  the  mafs  of  intellec- 
tual faculties  diminifties  in  proportion,  every  thing  is  turned  into 
flefn,  and  the  man  becomes  totally  infupportable.  The  mind, 
however,  preferves  ftill  a  kind  of  reminifcence  of  it  firfi.  energy, 
and  this  recolleftion  fills  the  man  with  prefumption,  wichout 
rendering  him  either  wifer  or  better,  A  perfon  of  this  defcrip- 
tion  affumes  a  tone  of  empire  and  authority  over  a  being  weak, 
and  delicately  organized.  He  thinks  only  of  humbling  the 
other,  and  is  totally  infenfible  of  his  fufFerings.  The  pretenfions 
and  infolence  of  fuch  a  _perfon  always  keep  pace  with  the  in- 
crealing  humiliation  of  the  other. 


Two  Attitudes.     R. 

Which  of  thefe  two  attitudes  would  you  prefer  ?  Which  of 
them  do  you  think  the  moll  becoming,  the  motl  noble,  the  moft 
adapted  to  a  manly  and  determined  charafter,  the  mod  proper  to 
iutereft  you,  and  infpire  confidence  ?  The  anfwer  to  this  queilion 
is  obvious,  and  there  is  no  room  for  hefitation.  If  I  alk  farther, 
which  of  thefe  figures  announces  a  harebraind  coxcomb,  a  petit-, 
maitre— a  man  whofe  converfation  is  equally  infipid,  tirefome, 
and  teafing— a  mind  capable  of  feeling  either  the  great  and  beau- 
tiful, or  the  fimple  and  natural — -a  being  who,  in  the  commerce 
of  the  world,  at  court,  and  in  private,  oti  the  theatre,  and  before 
his  looking-glafs,  will  never  be  any  thing  but  a  confummate  lool — > 
who  will  pafs  his  whole  life  in  an  eternal  childhood,  not  efteeming 
any  one,  and  himfelf  efteemed  of  no  one  ?  The  queftion,  in  truth, 
may  ftill  be  ealily  anfwered,  and  there  will  be  only  one  opinion  o£ 
the  matter  ;  we  fhallbe  difpofed  to  fmile  at  this  ftriking  contraft, 
;^nd  rauft  admire  the  aftonifhlng  harmony  which  diftinguiihes 
-each  individuaL 

Threb; 


rapcT]i 


^wm. 


2  M. 


s 
^ 


lavater's    physiognomy.  173 


Three  Figures.     S. 

Never  will  a  modell  and  fenfible  man,  on  any  occafion  what- 
ever ^ffume  an  attitude  fuch  as  thefe  ;  and  if,  by  chance,  his 
attention,  ilrongly  excited,  Ihould  induce  him  ta  turn  his  face 
upward,  like  2,  he  will  not,  however,  crofs  his  arms  thus  behind 
his  back  :  this  attitude  neceffarily  fuppofes  affectation  and  ollen- 
tation,  efp;?^ially  with  fuch  a  phyfionomy,  which  has,  indeed,  no- 
thing difagreeable,  but  which  is  not  that  of  a  thinker,  nor  evea 
that  of  a  man  capable  of  reflecting  ;  for  this  capacity  alone  is  a 
a  quality  very  rarely  to  be  met  with.  The  laft  figure  belongs 
likewife  to  that  clafsof  perfons  who  ftriveto  acquire  confequencc 
by  dint  of  pretenfion.  You  may  fay  of  1,2,  and  3,  in  general, 
that  they  give  themfelves  airs — or,  in  other  words,  that  they  are 
conceited  coxcombs.  The  more  that  fuch  gentlemen  affume,  the 
more  we  fed  ourfelves  tempted  to ' call  in  queftion  the  little  real 
paerit  they  may  have. 


Two  Female  Figures.    T, 

1.  Therejsmuch  calmnefsandmodefty  in  this  attitude  |  it  is  per- 
fe6lly  adapted  to  this  fpecies  of  phyfionomy,  which,  without 
having  any  thing  very  dillinguirned,  is,  however,  neither  ignoble 
nor  vulgar.  A  clear  and  found  underftanding— all  the  degree  of 
intelligence  which  is  compatible  with  mediocrity  of  talents — the 
domeftic  virtues,  the  love  of  peace,  of  labour,  of  order,  and 
cleanlinefs — a  habit  of  attention,  a  large  fund  of  docility  and 
candour— coolnefs,  but  not  the  coolnefs  of  indolence — a  mobility 
remote  from  every  fpecies  of  vivacity — a  contented  mind,  and 
formed  to  give  contentment  to  fuch  as  do  not  leave  her  far  behind 
from  an  extraordinary  elevation  of  charader— thefe  are  the  parti- 
culars which  the  fimple  filhouette,  the  air  and  deportment  alone 
pf  this  young  perfon  would  indicate. 

'  M4  2.  Thi« 


174  i.avat|er's  physiognomy. 

2.  This  figure  favours,  more  or  lefs,  of  the  conftraint  fhe  was  in 
while  the  artift  traced  her  portrait.  In  other  refpeds  the  attitude 
is  more  animated  and  more  expreflive,  than  the  preceeding,  as  the 
phyfionomy  likevvife  announces  more  talents,  more  wit,  vivacity, 
^nd  aftivity,  but,  at  the  fame  time,  more  vanity  and  conceit.  The 
eyes,  the  eyebrov^rs,  and  her  nofe,  have  fomething  fufficiently 
harfli  ;  I  find  in  them  a  charafter  rather  decifive,  more  voluptuous 
than  tender,  inclined  to  levity,  and  which  -will  aim  at  conquering 
hearts  rather  than  gaining  thera.  All  thefe  conjedlures  prevent 
m?  not  from  afcribing  to  to  this  young  girl  a  kind  and  benificent 
heart,  a  frank  and  fmcere  difpofition,  a  fprightly  humour,  and 
(:onfiderable  talents  :  fhe  feem.s  formed  for  relidiing  happinefs, 
and  for  diffuling  it  aroimd  her. 


Two  Women.     V. 

Two  woHiien,  with  all  the  weaknefs  of  their  fex.  The  fiirll  has 
the  air  of  liftening,  or  rather,  of  being  loft  in  fome  revery  ;  the 
fecond  is  carelefly  feated,  to  reft  herfelf  at  eafe.  Both  attitudes 
are  full  of  truth  and  homogeneity.  Thefe  two  perfons  feem  to 
be  recovering  from  indifpofitlon,  and  reile6ling  on  their  ftate  ; 
the  younger  with  fatisfa6lion,  the  other,  as  if  fne  were  calculating 
the  amount  of  the  phyfician^s  fees.  This  laft  is  not  juft  what 
you  would  call  a  refpe6lable  matron,  but  I  can  eafily  believe  her 
to  be  an  excellent  mother  and,  a  good  houfewife.  The  young 
one  appears  to  be  the  beft  creature  in  the  world,  good  from  In- 
ftin6t,  incapable  of  hurting  any  perfon  whatever  :  fhe  is  of  an 
organization  extremely  delicate,  and  her  faculties  limit  her  to  th^ 
ordinary  things  of  life. 


Attitudes  after  Chodowiecki.     U. 

I.  The  attitude  and  gait  of  a  man  abforbed  In  himfelf,  of  no 
great  dtpth  natura'ly,  but,  at  the  moment,  entirely  loft  In  the  ohf 
jeft  which  engages  him, 

2.  Mor« 


^^^m- 


Yoim. 


IXct 


I?^  LAVATER*S     PHYSIOGNOMY, 


Twelve  Soldiers.    W. 

Twelve  moft  exprefTive  attitudes,  taken  from  the  PruiliaR 
foldiery.  Let  tbe  reader  exercife  hitnfelf  in  afligning  to  each  of 
thefe  figures  its  proper  chara8:er.  They  are  eafily  difting-iifllia- 
ble,  and,  from  the  ideal  majefty  of  the  general  of  the  army,  im- 
prelTed  with  what  he  is,  or  rather,  with  what  he  repre^ 
fents,  and  what  he  wifhes  to  appear — from  the  commander 
in  chief,  I  fay,  down  to  the  coporal,  you  will  find  in  all  of 
them  the  authority  which  command  beftows,  the  impoUng  exte- 
terior  which  belongs  to  fuperiors,  the  dignity,  elevation,  courage, 
ilatelinefs,  and  dexterity,  w4iich  each  has  occafion  for,  in  the  liar 
tion  he  fills.  The  examination  of  this  print  fuggtfts,  if  1  am  not 
miftaken,  a  refle<5lion  abundantly  natural.  The  military  fyftem, 
carried  efpecially  to  the  degree  of  perfe6tion  which  modern  times 
prefent,  is  the  moll  complicated  and  refined  mechanifm  which 
man  ever  invented  for  the  management  of  his  fellow- creatures. 
However  ftriking,  however  painful  this  idea  may  be,  it  leads  to 
another,  which  the  philofopliic  obferver  muil  admit— it  is,  that 
this  fame  fyftem  is  likewife  the  mafter-pieceof  human  invention, 
an  incomparable  model  of  order  and  combination,  of  adlivlty  and 
pafiibility^ 

Five  Attitudes  of  the  same  Person.    X. 

The  ill  of  thefe  figures  retraces,  with  muck  truth,  the  charac* 

ter  of  affiiS'ion.     Dejlre  too  is  perfeflly  well  expreffed  in  the  2d, 

but  fome  fault  might  be  found  with  the  pofition  of  the  right 

hand.     The  forro'w  of  the  3d  appears  to  be  founded  on  reafon. 

The  4th  is  a  faithful  image  of  that  forlornncfs,  that  felf-oblivion, 

which  the  the  more  violent  emotion  produce.     The  5th  is  almoil 

entirely  theatrical  :  It  fuggefts  the  idea  of  an  a£lrefs  who  thinks 

\00  much  of  the  fpeftators  ;  It  deviates  from  nature,  it  retains 

lothing  of  that  fpecies  oi  eafe  which  ought  to  be  preferved  evei^ 

mder  the  moH  vehement  affedlons. 


TajjeijS 


Vol.M. 


246 


Tiufe  Tj6. 


VoUIl. 


■x**- 


jlavater's   physiognomy.  i*JJ 


DiFFERENT   AtTITUDS^S.      Y. 

With  refpe^l  to  attitude,  nothing,  .perhaps,  was  ever  defigned 
with  more  truth  than  this  fuit  of  Berlin  cccleliallics.  What  fim- 
pHcity  in  the  manner,  and  what  charafteriftic  energy  in  the  ex- 
preflion  !  How  well  obferved  are  all  the  particulars  of  relation 
and  conformity  !  B^nevolen*:  activity*  genuine  eloquence,  appli- 
cation and  ability,  a  humility  that  gives  inquitude,  rational  piety 
— thefe  are  the  general  qualifications,  each  of  which  in  particular 
I  leave  you  to  refer  to  its  proper  fubjeft,  and  which  it  certainly  Is 
not  difficult  to  accompUfh.  One  of  the  eight  announces  felf-fuf- 
iiciency  and  preiumptioa— ^another  muft  be  in  the  habit  of  ftudy- 
ing  his  fermons  as  he  walks.  You  fee  this,  and  are  ftruck  with. 
it  as  I  am,  and  we  feel  together  that  h  man  every  thing  reveals 
plan. 


The  Dying  Father.    Z. 

In  this  picture  of  the  dying  father,  afHidion  and  anguish  arc  de- 
pi£led  in  a  great  variety  of  forms  and  attitudes.  Thefe,  feparate- 
ly  confidered,  are  not  deficient  in  refpeil  of  chara6ler— taken 
together,  they  have  not  fufficient  relation  to  the  fubjed.  Seve- 
ral figures  of  this  compofition,  and  even  whole  groups,  have  a 
theatrical  adlion — and  the  grief  which  proceeds  from  the  heart  is 
never  oftentatious.  I  am  particularly  pleafed,  as  to  truth  of  ex- 
prefiion,  with  the  two  children  kneeling  before  the  phyfician,  who 
is  impofing  filence  on  them  with  a  look  of  indifference.  Next  to 
this  I  remark,  with  diftinftion,  that  modeil  fname-faced  beggar, 
fupported  on  his  crutch,  and  praying  for  his  benefactor,  with  an 
air  as  if  he  feemed  to  be  recapitulating  all  the  benefits  received 
from  him.  There  is  likewife  much  energy  in  the  attitude  of  that 
young  girl  on  her  knees,  holding  her  prayer-book  in  one  hand, 
and  hiding  her  face  in  the  pillar.  The  fon  too,  bending  over  the 
body  of  hio  futher,  eKhiblts  unequivocal  marks  of  the  moll  poig- 

^    nant 


fng  .    LAVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY,    - 

nant  grief.  Finally,  notwltliftanding  the  incorreftnefs  of  the 
drawing,  the  young  perfon  in  the  foreground  of  this  pi6lure, 
v/ith  arms  extended,  announces  and  exprelTes  the  pious  defire  of 
filial  affedion,. 


Twelve  Attitudes.     A.  A. 

According  to  my  mode  of  feeing  and  feeling,  I  would  thus  ex- 
plain thefe  figures,  which  I  have  borrowed  from  Mr.  Engel's 
Art  of  Mimickry. 

I.  The  meditation  of  a  man  of  the  world,  who  dire£ls  all  his 
ficill,  and  all  his  powers  of  calculation,  to  one  fingle  point. 

2  Is  a  very  ordinary  man,  who  has  turned  his  attention  to  an 
objed  of  fmall  importance  ;  in  which,  however,  he  interefts  him- 
felf  to  a  greater  or  lefs  degree. 

3.  Incapable  of  riiuch  refiedion,  this  man  direds  a  momentary 
attention  to  fomething  that  accidentally  prefents  itfelf,  and  which 
ilightly  affeds  him. 

4.  The  phlegmatic  indifference  of  a  charadcr  which  never 
profoundly  purfued  an  abftradfpeculation. 

5.  An  indifferent,  feeble,  and  even  infipid  qharader,  though 
gentle  and  model!:. 

6.  The  irony  cf  a  cheat  at  the  expence  of  his  dupe. 

7.  The  affedcd  indifference  of  fclf-conceity 

8.  The  deliberation  of  one  not  formed  for  reiledionc. 

9.  Such  a  manner  of  liftening  can  announce  only  a  contemp- 

tnoijs  char^der,  j pined  to  exceffive  prcfumption. 

JO.  The 


FaaeijS. 


VolM. 


2.52 


PageiiQ. 


Voi.m. 


lavater's    physiognomy.  17^ 

10.  The  difgufting  grimace  of  a.i  Impertinent  fool,  who  makes 
himfelf  completely  ridiculous. 

11.  The  brutality  of  one  of  the  lowed  of  mankind,  preparinif 
to  give  vent  to  vulgar  rage. 

12.  Theconfufion  of  a  poor  wretch,  without  vigour  of  mind, 
and  deilitute  of  honour. 

Obferve  with  what  fagacity  the  defigner  has  ailigned  to  each  of 
thefe  fubjefts,  d.form  of  hat  which  may  be  called  chara^erlflic. 


Ten  Attitudes.     B.  B. 

1.  The  attitude  of  a  man  at  prayer.  If  the  look  correfponds 
not  with  the  demeanour,  the  copyiil  is  to  be  blamed.  If  I 
durft,  without  furnifliing  matter  for  laughter,  I  would  add  a  re- 
mark, the  truth  of  which  will,  undoubtedly,  be  felt  by  more 
than  one  reader  :— a  perfon  with  hair  like  this  Is  incapable  of  fo 
much  fervour. 

2.  Childifh  defire,  in  all  its  vivacity.  By  tranfports  of  this 
fort,  by  emotions  thus  pafiionate,  real  defire  is  expreffed. 

3.  The  theatrical  affeftatlon  of  a  man  deftitute  of  fenfe,  and 

meaning  to  give  himfelf  airs. 

4.  The  deportment  of  afage  con vcrfing  with  a  fage. 

5.  This  extafy  of  love  and  refpe^  does  not  announce  an  or- 

diuury  man. 

6.  It  is  thus  we  return  on  having  loft  fomething,  on  meeting 
an  unmenied  denial,  or  on  having  fruitlefsly  employed  the  arts  of 
ptrfuafion, 

7.  I  wlli 


iSo  LAVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY* 

7.  I  will  not  fay  that  this  monk  has  the  appearance  of  being 
afflicted  at  having  miffed  a  benefice  ;  much  lefs,  however,  can  I 
fay  that  his  attitude  is  that  of  a  good  fhepherd,  deploring  the 
firaying  of  his  flock. 

8.  This  woman  has  the  air  of  purfuing  with  her  eyes  a  beloved 
object,  who  has  juil  left  her.  It  was,  perhaps,  her  fifter,  or  h^r 
friend,  but  I  am  certain  it  was  not  her  lover. 

9.  The  attitude  of  a  man  who  is  liHening  attentively.  No 
one  TUrely  will  afcribe  to  him  either  fuperior  intelligence  or  ex- 
ceffive  delicacy.  He  is  a  ^contemptuous  charafler,  and  that 
is  all. 

10.  This  one  has  retired  to  refleA  at  his  eafe  :  he  appears  not 
to  want  underilanding,  but  is  rather  unpohlhed. 


Four  Heads.    C.  C. 

1.  This  is  the  look  and  afrof  attention  excited  by  defire. 
Thefe  eyes  turned  to  Heaven,  exprefs  the  anxieties  of  a  love  ftill 
fupported  by  hope  j  you  fee  in  them  a  foul  difpofed  to  melancholy, 

;  If  there  v/ere  greater  harmony  between  the  forehead  and  the  nofe, 
the  connoifTeur  would  not  feel  himfelf  inclined  to  impute  to  this 
phylionomy,  taken  ia  whole,  a  want  of  fenfibility. 

2.  The  fecond  of  thefe  heads  is  more  pleafing  and  better  cal- 
culated to  infpire  love.  Its  contours  are  more  graceful,  and  more 
delicately  rounded,  Lefs  languifhing  than  the  firft,  this  female 
promifes  a  great  fund  of  good  fenfe,  and  a  fidelity  not  to  be 
fhaken.  She  liftens  with  fimplicity,  unmixed  with  cunning  o^* 
malice  :  (he  gives  herfelf  up  calmly  to  the  agreeable  ideas  which 
engage  her  mind,  and  reflects  upon  them  at  her  eafe.  The 
attitude  too  is  that  of  attentive  love,  fuperior  to  defign  and 
intrigue,  and  v/hich  nothing  can  divert  from  its  attachment. 

3.  I  mufl 


Fage  iSc 


Vol.m. 


2,5! 


TaqeiSi. 


YolM. 


2. 


Tape  18  4-. 


LAVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY.  l8l 

3.  I  muft  aik  pardon  of  the  admirable  Angelica;  but  neither 
the  air  nor  the  defign  of  this  buft  appears  to  me  chara<5^eriftic 
of  Hope,  Thefe  eyes  fo  calm  and  gentJe,  and  that  head,  reclining 
on  the  arm,  may  fuit  Rffignation, — Hoj.€yOn  the  contrary,  is  eit<5t, 
with  one  foot  firmly  relting  on  the  ground,  the  arms  ftretched 
forw  rd,  and  the  look  darting  into  diftant  fpace.  In  other  ref» 
pec^s,  and  notwith^anding  the  foftnefs  and  vacuity  vifible  inthis 
phyfionomy  we  cheerfully  do  juftice  to  its  expreffion  of  gooxiiefs 
,and  fenfibiiity. 

There  is  much  more  truth  in  4.  it  is  the  image  of  a  ref- 
pefbful  piety,  blended  with  humility  and  contrition. 


Twelve  Heads  after  Poussin.    D.  D. 

Each  individual  has,  his  character,  and  every  character  has  a 
phyfionomy  proper  to  it  :  it  is  this  which  gives,  if  I  may  fo  ex- 
prefs  myfelf,  the  tone  to  the  look,  to  the  gefi:ure,  to  the  carriage 
to  the  mien,  to  the  gait,  to  all  our  movements  a6i:ive  and  paffive. 
All  thcfe  have  a  mutual  dependance  and  afibciation  ;  but  there 
are  few  artifis  who  pofiefs  the  talent  of  communicating  to  their 
figures  this  harmony  and  homogeneity  of  character  ;  thci^  are 
very  few  who  knows  how  to  reproduce  it  both  in  the  whole  and  in 
each  of  the  paits ;  who  are  able  to  make  it  re-appear,  with  the 
iamc  truth,  in  the  fiature,  in  the  attitude,  and  in  the  air  of  the 
face.  Let  us  fee  how  far  we  fliall  receive  fatisfatftion  from  the 
annexed  print,  copied  after  Pouffin,  and  of  which  we  fhallnow 
examine  the  phyfionomicai  attitudes  and  chara(5fers. 

*i.  A  character  generous,  judicious,  and  powerfully  energetic, 
who  at  this  moment  is  reflecting  attentively.  The  eye  retreats 
rather  too  much,  and  thereby  diminiflies  the  expreflion  of  the 
phyfionomy,  in  which  every  thing  announces  a  fage  precifion. 
Jn  other  refpeCls  the  air  of  the  head  is  perfedtly  conformable  to 
the  charadler, 

2.  The 


lS2  ti^VATERS    PHYSIOGNOMY, 

2.  The  profile  of  a  female  lofl:  in  refleclion.  This  head  has 
almoft  as  much  dignity  as  the  preceeding,  but  it  is  lefs  judicious. 
The  mien  would  promife  attention  and  intereft,  were  it  more  ia 
bannony  with  the  forehead,  the  look,  and  the  mouth. 

3.  A  fafiiionable  ideal  form.  The  noftril  has  been  forgotten, 
the  forehead  is  not  in  harmony  with  the  nofe,  and  this  lafl:  part 
forns  a  contrafl  with  the  mouth,  the  defign  of  which  is  too  vague, 
andwhofe  exterior  contours,  at  moft,  are  well  exprefled.  The 
attitude  announces  a  man  flruck  with  an  interefling  obje6l, 
which  he  perceives  at  a  diflance,  and  with  regard  to  which  he 
ilill  fufpends  his  judgment. 

4.  A  profound  obferver,  who  maturely  weighs  and  refle^^-s. 
He  furpaffes  the  firft  three  in  penetration  and  fagacity,  but  is  in- 
ferior to  them  in  point  of  feeling.  This  is  a  man  of  much  ex- 
perience, without  mental  elevation,  and  without  delicacy. 


5* 


A  new  difcordance  between  the  look  and  the  air  of  the 
head,  between  the  forehead  and  the  whole.  That  eye  fees  no- 
thing, that  forehead  thinks  on  nothing,  that  mouth  cxprefTes  no- 
thing. 7  he  mien,  however,  denotes  an  attentive  mind,  and  the 
bead  only  of  a  generous  and  energetic  perfonage  could  be  adorn- 
ed v/ith  fuch  hair. 

6.  That  eye,  though  faulty  in  the  drawing,  fixes  and  pene- 
trates. Every  thing  elfe  is  homogeneous,  except  that  the  con- 
tour of  thr  forehead  is  in  part  too  fmooth,  and  the  eyebrow  too 
feeble,  for  ahead  of  fuch  force,  and  capable  of  fo  much  applica- 
tion. 

7.  The  air  of  the  head,  the  form  and  features  of  the  face,  are 
in  excellent  harmony.  I  would  fay  that  this  woman  obferves 
calmly,  but  her  eyes  feem  hardly  formed  for  feizing  a  fixed  point. 
Let  us  fatisfy  ourfelves  then  with  allowing  her  an  ingenious 
and  peaceable  difpofition,  taking  pleafure  in  fimplicity  and  repofe. 

8.  The 


LAVATER's     PHYSIOGNOMr.  185 

8.  The  refledling  veneration  of  a  compofed  fplrit,  which  con- 
ceives with  facihty,  but  has  nothing  great  or  profound,  though  far 
above  mediocrity.  It  is  not  eafy  to  determine  whether  it  be  the 
profile  of  a  male  or  of  a  female. » That  forehead,  without  cavities 
and  without  (hades,  can  contain  neither  unufual  penetration,  nor 
extreme  fenfibility.  The  noftril  here  too  has  been  forgotten,  and 
this  defe6l  is  an  unfpeakable  injury  to  the  expreffion  of  the  phy- 
fionomy. 

9.  You  difcover  in  that  glance  a  difcreet  curiofity,  which 
Tuppofes  a  charad^er  above  the  common,  nay,  a  certain  degree  of 
elevation.  Strengthen  a  little  the  defign  of  the  under  lip,  flope 
the  upper  part  of  the  forehead — and  you  will  bring  out,  flill 
more,  that  fund  of  goodnefs  and  magnanimity,  which  ferves  as  a 
balls  to  this  beautiful  phyfionomy, 

I  o.  That  hair,  after  the  manner  of  Raphael,  becomes  difguft- 
ing  when  united  to  that  eye,  which  feeks,  which  loves,  and 
\vhich  refpe6lg  harmony  and  truth.  A  phylionomy  like  this 
characterizes  a  profound  obferver,  a  folid  thinker,  who  is  fure  of 
his  point,  and  has  examined  it  carefully.  This  very  confidence 
may  render  him  prompt,  opinionative  and  keen  in  his  decifions  ; 
I  fnould  not  expeft  from  him  much  deference.  The  attitude 
fcarcely  promifes  it>  and,  in  this  refpedl,  it  harmonizes  with  all 
the  reil. 

11.  The  interval  between  the  eye  and  the  root  of  the  nofe  is 
unnatural.  I  difcover  in  this  profile  an  attention  which  invefli- 
gates  nothing  thoroughly.  The  attitude  has  the  appearance  of 
being  produced  by  a  fenfual  defire,  which  it  would  be  difficult  to 
explain. 

12.  What  a  wonderful  relation,  betv/een  the  form,  the  features, 
the  mien,  and  the  hair  !  What  a  difference  between  the  decided 
air  of  head  10,  and  the  noble  modefty  of  this  one  !  Without 
having  received  as  his  portion  an  enterprizing  fpirit,  or  the 
valour  which  conftitutes  heroes,  this  man  ads  calmly  on  principles 

Vol.  lil.  N       .  folid 


1^4- 

folid  and  honourable.       Eager  after   inftru6:ion,    he   turns  to 
account  what  he  knows,  without  making  a  parade  of  it« 


St.  Paul  before  Felix*     E.  £. 

St.  Paul  before  Felix.  The  head  of  the  principal  perfonage 
ought  to  have  been  prefented  at  leaft  in  complete  profile — and, 
though  loaded  with  chains,  the  hands  ought  not  to  hang  down 
thus  carelefsly,  at  the  inilant  when  the  apoftle  is  fuppofed  to  be. 
reafoning  with  warmth,  on  righteoufnefs,  temperance,  and  judg- 
tnent  to  come.  I  point  out  thefe  defeds  as  ahfences  of  the 
defigner  :  it  is  'Ooit  good  Homer  Jlumhering — but  to  what  fublimity 
does  he  awake  jn  the  reft  of  the  compofition  !  Of  the  three 
figures  who  are  feated,  the  one  nearell  St.  Paul  expreffes,  both  by 
the  look  and  air,  the  aftonifhment  and  refleclicn  of  a  mind  over- 
whelmed. Felix  divided  between  terror  and  fecurity,  feems,  by 
his  geilure,  to  difmifs  the  u.nfeafonable  reprover  :  Go  thy  way  for 
this  time  ;  nvhen  I  have  a  convenient  feafoUf  I  'will  call  for  thee. 
Finally,  the  female  in  the  foreground  of  the  piAure,  appears  to 
be  abforbed  in  the  moft  profound  meditation,  and  filled  with  con- 
flernation  zt  what  flie  has  juft  heard  :  a  heart  like  hers  is  quite 
as  open  to  the  influence  of  good,  as  to  the  fedu6lion  of  evil 
iraprelHons. 


Penitent  Magdalen*    F.  F. 

There  is  an  infufferable  afFedation  in  mcft  of  the  piftures  of 
fenltent  Magdalenes.  They  coquet  a  great  dtal  too  much  with 
their  beauty,  and,  if  I  may  fay  fc,  with  their  repentance  ;  they 
exhibit  themfelves  as  a  fpeclacle— and  repentance  eager  to  fhew 
Jtfelf,  is  rank  vanity.  Humility  ihuns  parade,  and  fpreads  over 
herfelf  the  veil  of  modefty  ;  the  declared  enemy  of  oftentation. 
The  even  goes  the  length  of  felf-annihilation.  I  fhall  leave  it  to 
connoiiTeurs  to  form  a  judgment  of  the  Magdalenes  of  our  greatell 

artills  : 


-jZ 


LAVATER's     PSYSIOGNOMY.  1^5 

attifts  ;  almoft  all  of  them  are  deficient  in  refpeft  -of  truth-— and 
no  wonder,  as  they  are  frequently. portraits  of  the  painters' 
miftreffes.  As  to  the  fig-ure  under  examination,  I  obferve  in  it  an. 
,air  uncommonly  penfive,  an  expreffion  which  announces  rather 
the  tranquillity  of  original  innocence,  than  the  poignant  regret  of 
having  loft  it.  This  phyfionomy  is  too  pure  and  too  refleWmg  : 
it  wants  that  ftrength  of  mind,  and  that  firm  confidence,  which 
the  repenting  finner  has  need  of,  in  order  to  return  to  the  path  of 
virtue,  and  to  proceed  In  it  with  perfeverance.  I  could  wifli  befides, 
for  more  contrition  and  more  dignity  in  the  attitude  :  it  is  not 
fufiiciently  in  unifon  with  the  tone  of  humility  which  predomi- 
nates In  the  features  of  the  face  :  it  preferves  a  certain  indolence 
incompatible  with  violent  deprefiion. 


St.  HiLARiA.     G.  G. 

This  is  a  St.  Hilaria,  or,,perhaps,  a  St.  Cecilia,  after  Kaphael. 
That  clofed  mouth,  though  otherwife  very  tolerable,  has  not  fuf- 
ficient  dignity,  nor  fufficient  delicacy,  to  exprefs  the  feelings  of  a 
heart  ravifhed  into  extafy — feelings  fo  well  conveyed  by  the  atti- 
tude.    Raphael  Is  abfolutely  inimitable  in  the  article  of  attitude^ 
which  he  could  vary  with  infinite  art,  and  always  v/Ith  the  fame 
dignity.     His  works  merit  for  this  reafon,  were  there  no  other, 
an  attentive  ftudy,  and  a  particular  commentary.     What  atten- 
tion, what  decency,  what  majefly.  In  the  figure  of  St.  Paul  ! 
The  attitude  of  the  BIfhop  is  far  lefs  interefling  becaufe  it  wants 
motion  and  aftivity  :  it  does  not,  however,  exclude  an  honeft  and 
virtuous  charaAer,  but  it  fuppofes  neither  great  elevation  of  foul 
nor  extreme  fenfibllity.  The  air  and  the  port  of  St.  John  breathe 
all  the  religious  unclion  of  the  beloved  difciple  of  Jefus  Chrift  ; 
the  mouth  alone  is  too  inanimate,  and  forms  too  violent  a  contraft 
with  the  reft.     Remark,  by  the  way,  the  charadierlftic  difference 
of  the  hair.     That  of  the  Songftrefs  is  foft  and  mellow,  as  the 
melody  of  her  voice  :  that  ot  St.  John  has  all  the  fredmefs  of  the 
iioW'tr  of  youth  :  that  oi  St.  Paul  the  mafculine  energy  of  the 

N  2  grown 


l86  LAVATEr's    PHYSIOG  NOMIr. 

grown   man  ;  and,  ^finally,  that  of  the  old   man  is  weak  and 
thin. 


Christ  BEARING  HIS  Cross.     Aft£r  Raphael.     H.  H< 

A  hurried  pace  is  hardly  in  any  cafe  dignified  ;  leaft  of  all  under 
the  depreflion  of  forrow.  I  diflinguifn,  however,  between  aftride 
and  a  cahn  and  firm'  pace  ;  but  even  when  I  have  made  this 
diftin6lion,  I  do  not  find  the  fublime  calm  of  patience  in  the 
principal  perfonage  of  the  annexed  print.  It  appears  to  me  that 
the  oppreliive  weight  of  the  crofs  could  hardly  admit  of  fo  hafty 
a  motion,  and  that  a  head  thus  bending  under  the  yoke,  ought  not 
to  have  been  prefented  in  front.  Raphael,  I  think,  is  not,  in  ge- 
neral, happy  in  his  heads  of  Chrift  ;  as  far,  at  leaft,  as  I  can  judge 
from  the  copies  I  have  feen.  The  greatefl  tranquillity  of  foul, 
the  mod  heroic  patience,  does  not  totally  efface  the  traces  of 
pain  ;  for  patience  neceffarily  fuppofes  fuifering.  Virtue  without 
refiftance  is  a  thing  of  which  we  can  form  no  conception  ;  on  the 
contrary,  the  more  virtue  fuffers  the  more  it  refills— and  a  vidrto- 
rlous  refinance  exprefies  itfelf  very  differently,  both  in  the 
phyfionomy  and  attitude,  from  the  manner  in  which  it  is 
expreifed  in  this  figure  of  Chrift,  which  in  other  refpedls,  how- 
ever, is  not  unworthy  of  Raphael.  There  is  n^uch  more  dignity, 
warmth,  andintere{l,in  thatof  Simon,  though  thisport  does  not  ap- 
pear to  me  either  fufficiently  natural,  or  fufficiently  animated,  for 
the  office  which  he  has  undertaken  :  he  ought  to  take  a  larger 
(hare  of  his  mailer's  load.  Neither  is  the  pofture  of  the  Centurion, 
who  condudls  the  proceffion,  too  chara£leriftic,  if  I  may  be  per- 
mitted to  draw  any  conclufion  from  his  foft  and  budiy  beard.  His 
phyfionomy  and  attitude  want  truth  :  they  will  never  extort 
from  znj  perfon  one  of  thofe  exclamations  af  admiration  which 
the  perfedl  imitation  of  beautiful  nature  fometimes  excites, 
I  could  fay  almoft  as  much  of  that  other  affeded  profile,  thrown 
into  the  background  as  an  extraneous  perfonage. 


Ta^eiM, 


Yoim. 


25D 


IPo^e  iSj. 


YolM. 


LAVATERS     PHYSIOGNOMY. 


Elisha.     I.  I. 


'87 


I  confidently  prefent  tins  figure  as  a  model  of  homogeneity. 
It  is  impoffible  to  unite  more  harmony  in  the  form  of  the  face, 
in  the  features,  and  in  the  attitude.  What  perfect  unity  1  Every 
thing  concurs  to  the  fame  end  :  the  fame  fpirit,  the  fame  fenti- 
ment,  the  fame  thought  penetrate  throughout.  A  charader  like 
this,  fuppofes  a  candour  which  can  Hand  every  trial,  a  temper 
peaceful  and  calm,  firmnefs  Vv'ithout  harfhnefs,  gentienefs  without 
eifeminacy.  Tlie  intention  of  the  painter  feems  to  be  to  prefent 
EHfha,  at  the  moment,  vi'hen  filled  with  the  idea  of  the  God  of 
Jfrael,  he  was  meditating  deeply  on  the  fall  of  his  people.  How 
well  entitled  was  fuch  a  man  to  demand,  and  to  obtain,  a  double 
portion  of  his  mailer's  fpirit !  And  how  becoming,  in  his  mouth, 
this  language — As  the  Lord  livethy  and  as  thy  foul  Ihethf  I  will  not 
leave  thee  ! 


Christ  raising  Lazarus.     K,  K. 

It  is  evident  that  this  figure  copied  after  Reubens,  is  the  pro- 
dudion  of  a  man  of  genius  ;  but,  on  a  clofe  examination,  it  will 
appear  that  the  defign  of  it,  the  expreffion,  the  attitude,  and  the 
gefture,  are  equally  infupportable.  Who  would  not  cenfure  that 
right  hand,  fo  incorre6lly  drawn,  and  fo  abfurdly  lifted  up  in  fign 
of  aftoniihment  ?  Who  is  not  fhocked  at  the  convulfive  motion 
of  the  left  hand  ?  The  arms  ought  either  to  fall  back  calmly,  or 
crofs  each  other  on  the  breaft,  or  be  ftretched  forward  to  affift 
the  rifing  dead.  Befides,  that  air  of  the  head,  that  beard,  and 
ungraceful  mouth,  are  altogether  unworthy  of  Him  who  has  th$ 
power  of  recalling  the  dead  tolifet 

Christ  and  St.  Thomas.     L.  L; 

W?  have  already  feep,  in  feveral  inftances,  to  what  a  degree  our 

N  3  iTrft- 


tSt  lavater's    physiognomy. 

firft-rateartifts,  and  our  raoft  llcilfiil  defigners,  are  capable  of  for- 
getting themfelvcs  in  their  productions.  I  prefent  another  exarn- 
ple— Could  any  one  find  out  Jefus  Chrill  in  this  plate  ?  Has  he 
ever  been  prefented  under  traits  fo  ignoble,  and  in  an  attitude  fo 
deftitute  of  dignity  and  energy  ?  Are  you  not  tempted  to  fay, 
He  is  making  a  complimentary  reply  to  the  perfon  who  prays 
to  him  with  fo  much  refpedl  and  zeal  ?  That  perfon  is,  probably, 
St,  Thomas,  exclaiming  with  fervour,  3^y  Lord  and  my  God  !  In 
this  cafe  the  figure  would  not  be  deficient  in  point  of  trutl>  ;  but 
that  of  the  Saviour  abfolutely  wants  it,  whatever  fentiment  you 
may  fuppofehim  to  be  expreffing. 


CHAP.    IV. 


Of  Language  and  the  Voice. 

My  total  ignorance  in  the  art  of  Mufic  prevents  my  treating 
fcientifically  the  fubjeft  of  this  chapter  :  I  am  perluaded,  never- 
thelefs,  that  vi'ere  man  confined  to  the  fenfe  of  hearing  alone,  that 
fenfe  would  be  fufScient,  of  itfelf,  to  enable  him  to  make  great 
progrefs  in  the  knowledge  of  his  fellow-creatures.  It  is  well 
known  with  what  fagacity  many  blind  perfons  acquire  the  means 
of  fupplying,  to  a  certain  degree,  by  means  of  their  other  fenfes, 
that  one  which  they  want.  I  thence  conclude,  that  an  intelligent 
obferver,  who  had  exercifed  and  cultivated,  with  particular  care, 
the  organ  of  hearing,  on  placing  himfelf  at  the  door  of  an  affem- 
bly  room,  would  be  in  a  condition  to  determine,  without  much, 
difnculty,  the  different  faculties  of  thofe  whom  he  heard  fpeak, 
even  though  he  were  otherwife  unacquainted  vvrith  them;  nay. 
though  they  fpake  a  foreign  language.  The  found  of  the  voice, 
its  articulation, its  foftnefs  and  roughnefs,  its  weaknefs  and  extent, 
its  inflections  in  the  higher  and  lower  tones,  the  volubility  and 
ejnbarralfment  of  tht  tongue,  are  all  infinitely  charafteriflic.  It 
u  almofl  impolTible  for  a  difguifed  tone  to  irapofe  upon  a  delicate 

ear. 


tAVATER's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  189 

ear,  or,  if  I  may  be  allowed  the  expreffion,  upon  z phyfwgnomical 
ear  ;  and  of  every  fpecies  of  dlflimulation,  that  of  language, 
however  refin-d  it  may  be,  is  the  mod  eafily  deteded  But  ho\y 
is  it  polTible  to  exprefs,  by  figns,  all  the  founds  of  voice  fo 
prodigioufly  varied  !  We  cannot  even  acquire  the  power  of  coun- 
terfeiting them  ;  for  the  moil  part  we  disfigure  them.  How  is 
it  poffible,  above  all,  to  imitate  the  native  language  of  gentleiiefs 
and  goodnefs,  the  angelic  tone  of  candour  and  innocence,  the  di- 
vine accent  of  perfuafion,  truth,  and  benevolence  !  Ah,  when  my 
ear  is  ftruck  with  that  fimple  and  natural  tone  which  belongs  only 
to  the  moft  exad  probity,  when  I  hear  that  language  of  genuine 
honour,  which  is  not  contamined  by  any  mixture  of  intereil,  and 
which,  alas  !  is  fo  rare  in  the  commerce  of  the  world,  my  heart 
leaps  for  joy,  and  I  am  tempted  to  exclaim,  //  is  the  voice  of  God, 
and  not  that  of  a  man.  Wo  be  to  him  who  comprehends  not  this 
language,  fo  pure  and  fo  eloquent  !  He  will  be  equally  deaf 
to  that  which  God  addreffes  to  him  in  his  works  and  in  his 
word. 

I  could  likewife  add  many  things  on  the  fubjeft  oi  fmiles  and 
tears,  oi  fighs,  and  cries.  What  a  difference  between  the.  affec- 
tionate fmile  of  humanity,  and  the  infernal  grin  which  takes 
pleafure  in  the  fuffering  of  a  fellow- creature  !  There  are  tears 
which  pierce  the  fides  y  there  are  others  which  excite  indignation 
and  contempt. 


CHAP.     V. 


Of  Style. 

If  ever  any  thing  can  contribute  toward  the  knowledge  of 

man,  it  is  his  flyle.  According  to  what  we  are,  we  fpeak,  and  we 

write.     The  time  will  come  when  the  phyfionomifl,  on  feeing  an 

^rator,  a  Man  of  Letters,  fhall  be  able  to  fay,  •  Thus  he  fpeaks 

■  '  *  thus 


190  lavater's    physiognomy.. 

*  thus  he  *  writes.*  The  tune  will  come  when,  on  hearing  the, 
found  of  the  voice  of  a  perfon  whom  he  has  not  feen,  when  from, 
the  ftyie  of  a  work  with  whofe  author  he  is  not  acquainted,  he 
fhall  be  able  to  fay,  *  This  unknown  perfon  muft  have  fuch  and 

*  fuch  features  ;  a  diiTerent  phyfionomy  were  unfuitable  to  hirn.' 
Smile,  If  you  pleafe,  my  dear  contemporaries  ;  that  very  fmiie  is 
phyfiognomical.  Inconftancy  is  the  diiHn6tive  character  of  your 
age  J  you  maintain  to  day  what  you  will  refute  to  morrow.  It  is 
•referved  for  your  pofterity,  wifer  and  more  enlightened  than  you, 
to  feel  the  truth  of  what  1  advance  :  they  will  be  aftonifhed,  and 
f  fay  one  to  another,  *  That  man  was  in  the  right/  Every  work 
is  imprefled  with  the  charafter  of  the  workman,  whether  he  be 
man,  or  God,  or  Demon.  The  more  that  the  work  is  the  imme- 
diate production  of  the  organization,  the  more  that  is  attefted  by 
evident  and  palpable  proofs.  I  could  quote  a  thoufand  examples, 
of  this  :  thofe  of  Roulfcau  and  Voltaire,  of  Linguet  and  Bonnet, 
of  Geffner  and  Wieland,  may  fuf&ce.  A  man  whofe  forehead  is 
high,  and  almoft  perpendicular,  will  always  have  a  dry  and  harlh 
llyle.  Another,- whofe  forehead  is  fpacious,  rounded,  without 
Ihades,  and  of  a  delicate  conllruAion,  will  write  fluently,  and  with 
eafe;  but  he  pofTeifes  neither  fenfibility  nor  afpirlt  of  Inveftlgation. 
The  man  whofe  frontal  finufes  are  very  prominent,  may  be  able 
to  form  for  hlmfclf  a  llyle  abrupt,  fententious,  and  original ;  but 
you  will  never  find  in  his  compofition  the  conne6lion,  the  purity, 
and  the  elegance,  which  diillngulfh  good  writers.  Tiaally,  a  per- 
fon with  a  forehead  moderately  elevated,  legularly  arched,  which 
retreats  very  much,  and  whofe  angles  are  gently  marked,  near  the 
bone  of  the  eye — a  perfon  with  fuch  a  forehead,  I  fay,  will  intro- 
duce into  his  works  vivacity  andprecifion,  will  unite  fprightlinefs 
to  ftrength.  I  only  glance  at  this  fubjeft,  for  detail  would  carry 
me  too  far. 


Two  Heads.    M.  M. 

T .  Here  is  the  portrait  of  a  philofopher  whofe  literary  merit 
k  beyond  all  difpute,  and  whofe  writings  have  obtained  the  una- 

jiimous 


11)7 


^ 


^ 


lAVAT-XRS     PHYSIOGNOMY.  igi 

nimous  applaufe  of  all  fenfible  readers.  Every  one  is  acquainted 
with  the  author  of-  the  ruftic  Socrates,  and  of  the  life  of  Sulzer* 
Nature  rarely  aiTociates  fo  much  found  reafon  with  knowledge  fq 
extenfive,  fo  much  fire  with  a  tafte  fo  refined,  fuch  courage  with 
a  prudence  fo  confummate.  To  judge  by  the  prominency  of  the 
forehead,  this  man,  dsfdaining  the  humble  language  of  profe^ 
will  frequently  employ  a  ftyie  fomewhat  inflated  ;  but  his  pen«? 
iive  look  aifures  me,  that  hp  will  be  temperate  in  his  eathufiafm, 
and  that  his  good  fenfe  will  prevent  all  extravagant  fallies.  I 
perceive  on  his  lips  the  wit  and  fprightlinefs  diffufed  over  his 
productions,  and  that  prominent  chin  vifibly  retraces,  to  me,  the 
mafculine  energy  which  conflitutes  one  of  the  mcft  diftinftive 
characters  of  his  works.  Take  care  how  you  oliend  him  ;  he  is 
prompt  in  the  fcience  of  defence^  and  will  triumphantly  repel 
your  attacks.  Treat  him  with  equity,  for  no  one  is  a  more 
equitable  judge  of  the  produdlions  of  genius,  efpecially  upon  a 
fecond  reading,  and  when  he  follows  his  own  ur*derllanding. 

2.  I  know  not  whether  this  is  the  image  qf  a  celebrated  au- 
thor ;  but  I  well  confidently  maintain  that  it  is  the  profile, 
roughly  ficetched,  cf  a  man  formed  to  be  a  writer  of  fuperlativc 
merit  5  I  will  mainta^in  that  this  is  a  genius  whofe  mind  is  ad- 
mirably cultivated,  who  unites  uncommou  fagacity  to  fafte  the 
raoft  exquifite,  (The  whole  of  the  profile,  and  particularly  the 
eye  and  eyebrow,  indicate  the  firft  of  thefe  qualities,  but  it  is 
difficult  to  preferve,  in  a  limple  outline,  delicacy  of  iaf.e.)  Tlii§ 
man  will  not  dwell  on  dull  common  place  ;  nothing  trivial  or 
ambiguous,  nothing  aukward  or  offenfive,  will  gain  admiffion  into 
his  works  ;  he  will  always  be  perfpicuous  and  elegant.  His  ftyle 
will  polfefs  the  vivacity  ojF  his  look,  but  without  the  Highteft 
infufion  of  acrimony  :  he  will  carefully  weigh  every  thought, 
and  every  expreffion.  As  a  critic,  he  will  fhew  himfelf  judicious 
and  juft,  without  fhutting  his  eyes  to  real  defeats.  In  a  word, 
I  know  no  perfon  to  whom  I  would,  with  more  confidence 
and  deference,  fubmlt  jny  literary  produ^onsj  whether  as  to 
fubftance  or  form. 


X 


t:>rtraits 


icrj  lAvAter's   physiognomy. 


Pop.TRAiTS  OF  Great  Personages.     N.  N.    , 

1  admit  that  thefe  feeble  ficetches  are  Infinitely  inferior  to  their 
originals,  but  in  prefenting  them  as  fuch,  I  run  no  rifle  when  I 
cpnfider  them  in  the  point  of  view  propofed  in  this  chapter. 
Had  you  never  heard  of  the  illuftrious  characters  whofe  images 
are  traced  in  thefe  copies,  had  you  never  read  their  hiftory,  and 
were  you  to  be  aflced.  In  what  ftyle  you  imagine  each  of  theni 
has  written  ?  I  think  that,  on  mature  reiledion,  you  would 
anfwer  with  me  as  follows. 

The  liead  prefented  for  that  of  Montagne,  will  infufe  into  his 
compofitions  a  great  richnefs  of  ideas,  much  native  fimplicity 
Stid  candor,  fprightlinefs;,  an  original  tui^n  and  nervoufnefs  of  ex- 
preffion.  From  Chenneyierre  I  fhould  expeil  more  delicacy, 
elegance,  and  precifion,  and,  if  the  defign  of  this  profile  be  but 
tolerably  exadl,  I  believe  his  produ6lior^  will  be  more  laboured. 
The  pen  of  Defcartes  will  follow  the  daring  flights  of  hi?  genius  ; 
hi§  ilyle  will  be  all  fire  and  intrepidity.  In  the  phyfionomy  of 
Chrif^ina,  the  forehead  and  r>ofe  indicate  wit,  good  fenfe,  wif- 
dpra  ;  the  mouth,  an  agreeable  levity.  The  forehead  and  eye- 
brows of  FoUer  are  not  formed  for  the  excurfions  of  poefy  ; 
they  admit  only  of  a  progiefs  reflective,  calm,  compofed,  ferious, 
and  grave.  I  know  not  by  what  chance  the  following  profile 
hears  the  name  of  Charles  V.  The  portraits  which  we  have  of 
that  prince,  (and  I  have  feen,  among  others,  the  valuable  ori- 
ginal, painted  by  Albert  Durer,  now  in  the  collection  of  the 
Duke  of  Saxe- Weimar)  do  not  prefent  the  flightefl  trace  of  that 
open,  graceful,  and  animated  phyfionomy.  The  one  under  re- 
view would  undoubtedly  announce  a  man  who  handles  the  pen  in 
a  very  fuperior  manner  :  his  flyle  would  abound  with  luminous 
traits,  with  happy  eiFufions  ;  but  he  would,  at  the  fame  time,  dif- 
figure  It  by  a  want  of  conne6lion,  and,  advancing  by  ftarts  and 
bounds,  he  would  totally  fubvert  the  natural  order  of  his  ideas. 
Felbiger  would  write  in  a  very  different  manner.  Learned  with- 
out 


MdeMontasTje    CL  enneYierre 


Page  igz . 


Voim. 


Defcartes 


ClirDlliiia 


Tofler 


CarlV 


mm 


/   m 


Scliopflin  Bifcartes  K°2 


262 


xavater's  physiognomy,  .J93 

cut  pedantry,  a  profound  and  refle^ling  thinker,  he  will  attack 
himfelf  lefs  to  the  brilliant  than  to  the  foh'd  ;  he  will  facrifice 
elegance  of  exprefTion  to  force  of  thought.  (My  judgment  is 
ftill  formed  from  the  portrait  before  us.)  The  profile  of  Schop- 
ilin  is  that  of  a  real  fcholar,  who  has  amaiTed  an  extraordinary- 
flock  of  knowledge,  and  who  underflands  how  to  turn  it  to  good 
account.  His  diction  will  be  fimple  and  cold,  but  accurate  and 
correct  :  every  particular  will  be  feledled  and  weighed  with 
extreme  nicety. 

I  return  to  Defcartes,  and  fubllitute.  In  place  of  his  portrait, 
(on  this  plate)  No.  2.  a  better  drawn  contour  which  clofes 
this  addition.  This  outline,  though  ftill  imperfeft,  difclofes, 
however,  a  variety  of  details,  which  ferve  to  convey  a  more  com- 
plete idea  of  the  chara6ler  of  that  illuilrious  perfonagf'.  It  is 
not  neceffary  to  be  a  profound  connoifleur  in  order  to  feel,  at  the 
firft  glance,  that  this  is  not  an  ordinary  face ;  that  a  head  thus 
formed,  and  a  look  fo  anim^ed,  exprefs  a  multitude  of  things, 
and  that  nature,  in  producing  this  being,  intended  to  create  a 
prodigy.  Phyfiognomy  difpenfes  impartial  jullice  to  every  one, 
and,  upon  the  teftimony  of  an  authentic  portrait,  eftimates,  at 
his  real  value,  the  perfon  who  has  been  extravagantly  exalted  or 
decried,  fuch  as  an  Ariftotle  or  a  Defcartes — the  perfon  whom 
every  do6hor  once  quoted  as  an  oracle,  and  whom  every  fchool- 
boy  prefumed  to  run  down  Impunity — the  perfon  who  has  "been  a 
fubjedl  of  difpute  and  divifion  to  all  ages  and  nations.  Phyficg- 
nomy,  without  giving  into  the  frenzy  of  a  ridiculous  apotheoiis, 
repairs  the  injuries  committed  by  envy,  and  fixes  the  floating  de- 
clfions  of  the  multitude,  and  of  the  mode.  It  unveils  man,  and 
prefents  him  fuch  as  he  is  ;  it  (hews  his  real  value,  and  of  what 
he  is  capable  ;  what  he  tvillsy  and  what  he  can  perform  ;  what  he 
is  naturally,  and  what  he  has  become  by  education.  Yes,  I  llill 
maintain,  at  the  hazard  of  repeating  what  I  have  alreadly  ad- 
vanced—look at  the  man  whom,  for  a  feries  of  years,  you  have 

heai'd  alternately  applauded  or  mdigned,  exalted  and  dep/efied  by 
turns,  of  whom  are  related  fomany  anccdotes,true,or  mutiiaied,or 
forged  ;  the  man  who  ha^  Ipng  been  fet  up  as  a  butt  to  an  infinite 

number 


19-f  ,       LA  V  ATEr's    PH  YS  lOG  N  OM%% 

number  of  iniquitous  or  pafiionate  decl/ions,  elevated  by  ibme 
to  the  rank  of  a  demi-god^  claifed  with  demons  by  others — look 
at  him  yourfelf  with  the  impartial  eye  of  the  fcience — and  you 
will  find  him  quite  a  different  perfon  ;  but  you  will,  perhaps, 
difcover,  at  the  fame  time,  in  his  features,  the  reafon  of  his  being 
deified  or  anathematized. 

Empty  deplamation  !  I  fliall  be  told  ;  the  extravagant  lan- 
guage of  an  author  infatuated  with  a  favourite  fubjedl  .'—-No, 
you  are  mlftaken.  It  is  pure  truth,  and  truth  of  the  higheft 
importance,  on  which  the  age  to  come  will  unanimoufly  beftcw 
applaufe — and  which,  perhaps,  we  qurfelves  ii^ay  liye  to  fee 
acknowledged. 

Had  Newton  never  written  a  fingle  line,  had  he  remained  en- 
tirely unknown  to  his  contemporaries,  we  fhould  want  nothing 
ROW  but  his  portrait,  to  affure  us  of  his  deferving  to  be  ranked 
among  the  gieateft:  geniufes.  I  affirm  as  much  of  Defcartes. 
A  phyfionomy  like  his  cannot  poffibly  be  mifunderftood.  It 
would  be  diflinguifhabie  among  ten  thoufand ;  it  bears  the 
Iiigheft  pofiible  imprefs  of  originality :  it  announces  the  man 
ivho  forms  an  epoch,  and  who  owes  every  thing  to  himfelf. 

In  truth,  with  that  face  full  of  fpirit  and  life,  was  I)efcartes 
formed  to  fuffer  himfelf  to  be  moulded,  or  to  ferve  as  a  model  ? 
Was  he  formed  for  receiving  laws  from  a  world  enflaved  by  pre- 
judice, or  for  ditlating  new  lav/s  to  that  world  ?  *  I  pafs  over  his 
education,'  fays  Mr.  Thomas,  in  his  elogium  .of  Defcartes. 
f  When  we  fpeak  of  extraordinary  perfons,  this  is  a  topic  of  na 
5  confideration.    There  is  an  education  for  the  herd  of  mankind  ; 

*  the  man  of  genius  admits  that  only  which  he  gives  to  himfelf:  . 
f  it  confiils  almcft  always  in  deilroying  the  firft,     Defcartes  by 
f  that  which  he  received,  judged  the  age  he  lived  in.  He  already 

*  looked  far  beyond  it.    He  had  already  acquired  the  notion  and 

*  the   prefentiment  of  a  new  order    of  fciences.     Thus,  frorr^ 

*  Madrid  or  Genoa,  Columbus  had  a  prefentiment  of  America.' 
The  \\0\'6.  prefentlnmi  is  adaair^ble.    It  is  the  pioperty  of  genius, 

SucH 


tATAtER's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  1$^ 

Such  a  perfon  is  ever  at  work,  even  in  his  moments  of  repofe. 
Always  agitated  by  great  ideas,  he  is  continually  afpiring  after 
the  extenfion  of  his  knowledge,  his  faculties,  his  liberty :  he 
imagine  neiv  worlds  and  new  creations,  and  rifes  up  to  deity  him- 
felf.  Ever  impelled  forward,  ever  fupported  by  his  own  powers^ 
he  forces  his  way  through  the  crowd,  tramples"  down  every  ob* 
ftacle,  clears  a  path  for  himfelf,  attends  to  nothing  but  the  objeci 
he  has  in  view.  All  at  once  he  fpreads  his  wings,  lofes  fight  of 
his  predeceffors,  of  his  contempories,  and  purfuing  his  rapid 
courfe,  tranfports  himfelf  into  diflant  regions,  and  takes  poffefiloa 
uf  fpheres  unknown.  Such  was  Decartes.  His  phyfionomy 
announces  the  creator  of  a  new  fyftcm..  *  Nature,'  it  is  the 
French  orator  who  again  ipeaks,  *  Nature  which  laboured  with 

*  particular  attention  on  this  man's  foul,  and  infenlibly  difpofed 

*  it  to  great  things,  had,  from  the  beginning,  infufed  into  it  an 

*  ardent  palTion  for  truth.     This  was,  perhaps,  the  firft  mafter- 

*  fpring.'     A  pq/Jion  for  truth,  reader,  are  you  acquainted  with 
it  ?  It  is  this  which  determines  our  activity,  and  which  is  the 
germ  of  it.     The  impulfe  which  it  gives  I  perceive  even  in  the 
imperfeCl  image  under  our  infpeftion  ;  I  fee  in  it  the  tranfpira-  . 
tion  of  an  intrepid  courage,  of  an  indefatigable  zeal  for  truth* 

'  Nature  added  to  it,'  continues  Mr.  Thomas,  *  that  defire  of 

*  being  ufeful  to  mankind,  which  extends  itfelf  to  all  ages  and  all 

*  nations.     She  gave  him  likewife,  during  the  whole  feafon  of 

*  his  youth,  a  reftlefs  activity,  thofe  torments   of  genius,  that 

*  vacuum  of  foul  which  nothing  hitherto  could  fill,  and  which 

*  wearies  itfelf  in  looking  round  for  fomething  to  fix  it.'  That 
elaftic  activity,  that  neceffity  of  being  ufeful,  that  beneficent 
fenfibility,  manifeft  themfelves  in  that  look  fo  profound  and  fc» 
animated,  v;hich  feizes  objects  the  moil  remote,  and  immediately 
transforms  at  pleafure  what  it  has  feized.  The  fame  fublimc 
qualities  re-appear  in  the  eye-brows,  fo  full  of  energy'-  and 
amenity— in  the  fingular  contour  of  the  bone  of  the  eye—in  the 
contour  of  the  head,  of  which  all  the  angles  and  all  the  fhades 
are  fo  well  difpofed — in  that  broad  and  cartilaginous  nofe — on 
thefe  lips  fo  foft  and  fo  perfualive,  fo  ardent  and  fo  irafcible — • 
cfpeciaily  in  the  line  of  the  mouth,  the  indication  of  a  prodi- 
gious 


ipi^  L abater's    PHYSIOGNOlriy* 

gious  facility— and,  to  omit  no  particular,  in  that  hair  fo  fmootk 
and  foft.     Every  thing  proclaims  *  a  man  infatiably  difpofed  to 

*  fee  and  to  know,  a  man  inceiTantly  calling  for  truth  wherever 

*  he  goes,' 

It  is  rare,  it  is  extremely  rare,  to  find  a  genius  fo  univerfal  as 
that  of  Defcartes.  Without  meaning  to  adopt  his  bold  hypo- 
thefes,  we  are  not  the  lefs  difpofed  to  admire  the  richnefs  of  the 
imagination  which  produced  them,  and  that  happy  union  of  a 
geometrical  genius  with  a  feeling  heart,  impaflioned  for  the  good 
of  humanity.  Defcartes  was  at  once  one  of  the  moil  abftra6t 
thinkers,  and  one  of  the  moft  aftive  men  that  ever  exilled.  Fond 
cf  retirement,  he  was  incapable  of  relifliing  the  fweets  of  it  for 
any  confiderable  time  together.  Hurried  away,  on  the  one  hand, 
in' the  vortices  of  his  own  worlds,  he  devoted  himfelf,  on  the 
other,  to  employments  the  moll  painful,  which  might  redound  ta 
the  benefit  of  fociety.  See  how  the  foul  of  Defcartes  is  painted 
in  his  phyfionomy  !  It  would  be  impofTible  to  analyze  each  of 
the  features  which  compofe  it,  but  every  one  muft  feel  the  beau- 
tiful and  the  great  iu  the  whole.  What  can  be  more  animated 
than  thefe  eyes,  or  more  exj>reffive  than  this  nofe  ?  The  interval 
between  the  eye-brows  indicates  a  genius  accuftomed  to  foar,  and 
who  does  not  ftop  to  dig  his  fubjed  to  the  bottom.  It  is  Im- 
poffible  for  this  man  to  remain  tranquil  and  folitary.  His  mafcu- 
line  chara^r  is  by  no  means  Incompatible  with  fenfibility.  The 
forehead  is  altogether  uncommon  ;  with  a  great  flope  back- 
ward, fmooth  towards  the  top,  and  gently  rounded — thefe  are 
fo  many  figns  of  a  concentrated  energy,  and  of  a  firmnefs  not 
to  be  fhaken. 

Of  Design,  Colouring,  and  Writing, 

*  Human  Nature  prefents  neither  real  contrail  nor  manifeft^ 
^  contradiction.'  This  is  a  triith  which  we  run  no  riilc  in  laying 
down  as  a  principle  ;  and  it  is  apparent,  that  the  greater  progrefs 
we  make  in  the  lludy  of  man,  the  more  generally  received  this 
propofition  will  be. 

This 


tAVATER's    P  HYSIOG  N'OM  Y.  t^f 

This,  at  leaft,  is  pofitive,  that  no  one  part  of  our  body  is  ccn- 
tradidtorj"  to,  or  dellroys.  another.  They  are  all  in  the  moil  in-* 
timate  union,  fubordinate  one  to  another,  animated  by  one  and 
the  fame  fpirit.  Each  preferves  the  nature  and  the  temperament 
of  the  other,  and  even,  though  in  this  refpeft  they  m.ay  vary  lefs 
or  more  in  their  effedls,  they  all,  however^,  approach  to  the  cha- 
rafter  of  the  whole.  Nature  compofes  not  by  piecemeal.  Her 
totality  and  homogeneity  vi'ill  ever  be  inimitable,  and  never  ceafe 

to  fet  art  at  defiance*  She  creates  and  forms  all  at  a  fmgle  call. 
The  arm  produces  the  hand,  and  this  ag'iin  fends  forth  the 
fingers.  A  truth  the  moll  palpable,  a  truth  which  conllitutes 
one  of  the  principal  foundations  of  phyfiognomy,  and  which, 
attells  the  univerfal  fignification  of  eveiy  thing  pertaining  to  our 
phylical  eflence  ;  a  truth  whofe  evidence,  hitherto  not  fufiicientl j 
felt,  feems  referved  for  future  ages-^ — It  is  this,  that  ajingle  meinber 
nvdl  conjlituttd^  a  Jingle  detached  and  exad  contour,  furmjhes  us  ivith 
certain  induSiions  for  the  reji  of  the  body,  and,  corfequently,  for  the 
luhole  charader.  This  truth  appears  to  me  as  evident  as  that  of 
my  exiilence  ;  It  Is  irrefiftibly  certain.  As  nature,  in  her  unlver- 
fality,  is  a  reflex  of  her  infinite  and  eternal  author,  jn  like  man-- 
Tier  ihe  alfo  re-appears  the  fame  in  all  her  produftions ;  it  is  al- 
ways the  fame  image,  reduced,  coloured,  and  fhaded,  a  thoufand 
and  a  thoufand  different  ways.  There  is  but  one  only  fec^ioa 
proper  to  every  circle,  and  to  every  parabola,  and  that  fe^ion 
alone  aliiils  us  in  completing  the  figure.  Thus  we  find  the  Crea- 
tor in  the  leaft  of  his  creatures,  nature  in  the  fmalkll  of  her 
produftions,  and  each  produd.ion  in  each  of  the  parts  or  fedllon* 
which  compofe  it. 

What  I  have  faid  of  phyfical,  may  be  hkewife  applied  to  moral 
man.  Our  inftinds,  our  faculties,  our  propenfities,  our  paffions, 
our  aftions,  differ  one  from  another,  and  yet  they  all  have  a  re- 
ferablance  ;  they  are  not  contradi6lory,  however  oppofite  they 
may  frequently  appear ;  they  are  confpirators,  leagued  together^ 
by  indlffoluble  bonds.  If  contrails  refult  from  this,  it  is  only 
ejcternally  and  in  the  effects  :  thefe  will  fometimes  fcarcely  be 
able  to  fubfiil  together,  but  they  do  not  the  Icfs,  ou  that  account, 
proceed  from  one  common  fource. 


,-i^S  l4  V  a  t  e  S.-S  -p  H  y  s  I  o  G  N  d  M  r. 

I  fhall  not  flop  farther  to  unfold  this  idea,  nor-  to  fuppoit  It 
by  proofs.  Sure  of  my  thefts,  I  purfue  it,  and  deduce  from  it 
the  foj  lowing  confequences. 

All  the  niotions  of  our  body  receive  their  modifications  from 
the  temperament  and  the  charafter.  The  motion  of  the  fage  is 
not  that  of  the  idiot ;  there  is  a  fenfible  difference  in  the  deport- 
ment and  gait  of  the  choleric  and  phlegmatic,  of  the  fanguine 
and  melancholic.  It  is  Stern,  I  think,,  or  Bruyere,  who  fays, 
*  The  wife  man  takes  his  hat  from  the  peg  very  differently  front 
the  fool.' 

Of  all  the  bodily  motions  none  are  fo  much  varied  as  thofe  of 
the  hand  and  fingers. 

And  of  all  the  motions  of  the  hands  and  fingers,  the  mofi 
€iverflfied  are  thofe  which  we  employ  in  writing.  The  leafl 
word  coaimanicated  to  paper,  how  many  points,  how  many  curve 
does  it  not  contain  1  • 

It  is  farther  evident,  that  fevery  pi^iire,  that  every  detached 
figure,*  and,  to  the  eye  of  the  obferver  and  of  the  conn oiffeui', 
every  trait,  preferves  and  recals  the  chara6ter  of  the  painter. 

Every  defigner  and  every  painter  reproduces  himfelf,  more  or 
lefs,  in  his  works  ;  you  difcover  in  them  either  fomethiAg  ot  his 
exterior  or  of  his  mind,  as  we  fliall  prefeutly^  fliew  by  the  exam- 
ples of  feveral  artifls.  Compare,  in  the  mean  time,  Raphael 
and  Chodowiecki,  Le  Brun  and  C.allot,  George  Pens,  and  John 
de  Luycken,  Van  Dyk,  and  Holbien — and  among  engravers, 
Drevet,  and  Houbracken,  Wille,  and  Van  Schuppen,  Edeiinek, 
and  Goltzius,  Albert  Durer  and  Lucas  of  Leyden.— On  bring- 
ing them  cldfe  to  each  other,  you  will  be  immediately  convinced, 
that  each  has  a  ftyle  peculiar  to  hin;ifelf,  and  which  is  in  harmony 
with  his  perfonal  chai'a6ter. 

Compare  a  print  of  Wille's  with  one  of  Schmidt's  examine 

them^ 


L  A  V  A  T  E  R  '  S    PHYSIOGNOMY.  1 99 

tliem  clofely — you  will  not  find  a  fmgle  ftroke  precilely  the  fame, 
and  whofe  charader  is  perfe^Slly  identical  in  beta. 

Let  a  hundred  painters,  let  all  the  fcholars  9f  the  fame  mafter 
draw  the  fame  figured-let  all  thefe  copies  have  the  mod  llriking 
refemblance  to  the  original — they  will,  notwitbilanding,  have 
each  a  particular  charadier,  a  tint  and  a  touch  which  (hail  render 
them  diftinguifnable. 

It  is  aftonifliing  to  what  a- degree  the  perfonality  of  artids  re- 
appeais  in  their  llyle  and  in  their  colouring.  All  painters,  delign- 
res,  and  engravers,  vyho  have  nne  hair,  almoil  always  excel  in  this 
particular  ;  and  fuch  of  them  as  formerly  wore  a  long  beard,  ne- 
ver failed  to  prefent,  m  their  pictures,  figures  adorned  with  a  ve- 
nerable beard,  which  they  laboured  with  the  utmoft  care.  A 
refle6led  comparifon  of  feveral  eyes  and  hands,  drawn  by  the  fame 
mafter,  will  frequently  enable  us  to  judge  of  the  colour  of  the 
artifl's  eyes,  and  of  the  form  of  his  hands  ;  Van  Dyk  exhibits  a 
a  proof  of  it.  In  all  the  works  of  Ruebens  you  fee  the  fpirit  q£ 
his  own  phyfionomy  piercing  through  ;  you  difcover  his  vaft  and 
productive  genius,  his  bold  and  rapid  pencil,  unfettered  by  a  fcru- 
pulous  exailnefs  ;  you  perceive  that  he  applied  himfelf  in  prefer- 
ence, and  from  tafte,  to  the  colouring  of  his  fiefh,  and  to  elegance 
of  drapery.  Raphael  took  peculiar  pleafur?  in  perfecting  his 
outhnes/  The  fame  warmth,  and  the  fame  fimplicity,  predomi- 
nate ipi  all  the  pictures  of  Titian  :  the  fame  impaflioned  ilyle  in 
thofe'of  Corregio.  If  you  pay  ever  fo  little  attention  to  cbe  co- 
louring of  Holbein,  it  will  hardly  be  poiTible  for  you  to  doubt, 
that  his  own  complexion  was  a  very  clear  brown  ;  Albert  Durer's 
was,  probably,  yellowilh,  and  that  of  Largilliere  a  bright  red. 
Thefe  perceptions  certainly  merit  a  ferious  examination. 

If  we  are  under  the  nece.ility  of  admitting  a  chara6teri{lic  ex- 
prefiion  In  painting,  why  fhould  it  entirely  difappear  in  drawings, 
and  in  figures,  traced  on  paper  ?  Ts  not  the  diverfity  of  hand- 
writing generally  acknowledged  ?  And  in  trials  for  forgery,  does 

Vol,  III.  O  it 


200  LAVATERS    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

it  not  ferve  as  a  guide  to  our  courts  towards  the  difcovery  of 
truth  ?  It  follows  then,  that  it  is  fuppofed  to  be  highly  probable, 
that  each  of  us  has  his  own  hand-writing,  individual  and  inimita- 
ble, or  which,  at  Jeail,  cannot  be  counterfeited  but  with  extreme 
difficulty,  and  very  imperfeftly.  The  exceptions  are  too  few  to 
fubveit  the  rule. 

And  is  it  polTible,  that  this  inconteftable  diverlity  of  writing 
ihould  not  be  founded  on  the  real  difference  of  moral  charac- 
ter ? 

It  will  be  objefted,  *  that  the  fame  man,  who  has,  however, 

*  but  one  and  the  fame  charafter,  is  able  to  diverfify  his  hand 

*  writing  without  end.'     To  this  I  anfwer,  that  the  man  in  quef- 

*  tion,  notwithftanding  his  equality  of  character,  ad:s,  or,  at 

*  leall:,  fi'equently  appears  to  a6l  in  a  thoufand  and  a  thoufand 

*  different  manners.'— -And,  neverthelefs,  his  a6lions,  the  moft 
varied,  conilantly  retain  the  fame  iynprefs^  the  fame  colour.  The 
gentleft  fpirit  may  fuffer  himfelf  to  be  tranfported  with  paffion, 
but  his  anger  fs  always  peculiar  to  himfelf,  and  never  that  of 
another.  Place  in  hi?  lituation  perfons  either  more  fiery  or  more 
calm  than  he  is,  and  the  tranfport  will  no  longer  be  the  fame. 
His  anger  is  in  proportion  to  the  degree  of  gentlenefs  which  is 
natural  to  him.  In  his  moments  of  rage  his  blood  will  preferve 
the  fame  mixture  as  when  he  is  tranquil,  and  will  never  ferment 
like  the  blood  of  the  choleric  ;  he  will  have  neither  the  nerves, 
nor  the  fenfibility,  nor  the  irritability,  which  conftitute  the  tem- 
perament, and  charafterize  the  exceffes,  of  a  violent  man.  All 
thefe  di{lin£lions  may  be  applied  to  hand-writings.  Juft  as  a  gen- 
tle fpirit  may  occaGonally  give  way  to  tranfports  of  paffion,  in  like 
manner,  alfo  the  fincil  penman  may  fometimes  acquit'  himfelf 
careleisly  ;  but  even  then,  his  writing  will  have  a  charafler  totally 
different  from  the  fcrawl  of  a  perfon  who  always  writes  badly. 
You  will  diftinguuli  the  beautiful  hand  of  the  firft,  even  in  his 
moft  indifferent  performance,  while  the  raoft  careful  produdion  of 
the  fecond  will  always  favour  of  his  fcribbling. 

Be 


LAVATEPv's     PHYSIOGNOMY,  ^OI 

Se  this  as  it  may,  this  diverfity  of  hand -writing  of  one  and  the 
fame  perfon,  far  from  overturning  my  thefis,  only  confirms  it  ; 
for,  hence  it  refalts,  that  the  prefent  difpoiition  of  mind  has  an 
influence  on  the  writing.  With  the  fame  ink,  the  fame  pen,  and 
on  the  fame  paper,  the  fame  man  will  form  his  letters  very  differ- 
ently when  treating  a  difagreeable  fubjeft,  and  when  agreeably 
amuling  lilmfelf  with  a  friendly  corrffpondence.  Is  it  not 
undoubtedly  true,  that  the  form  anJ  exterior  of  a  letter  frequently 
enable  us  to  judge,  whether  it  was  written  in  a  calm  or  uneafy 
fituation,  in  hafte  or  at  leifure  -'  whether  its  author  Is  a  perfon  of 
folidity  or  levity,  lively  or  dull  ?  Is  not  the  hand-writinp-  of  moft 
females  m.ore  lax  and  unfteady  than  that  of  men  ?  The  more  I 
compare  the  different  hand-writings  which  fall  in  my  way,  the 
more  I  am  confiriiied  in  the  idea,  that  they  are  fo  many  expref- 
fions,  fo  many  emanations,  of  the  character  of  the  writer. 
What  renders  my  opinion  ftill  more  probable  is,  that  every  nation-, 
every  country,  every  city,  has  its  peculiar  hand-writing,  jufl  as 
they  have  a  phyfionomy  and  a  form  peculiar  to  themfelves.  All 
■who  carry  on  a  foreign  literary  correfpendence  of  any  extent,  are 
able  to  juflify  this  remark.  The  intelligent  obferver  will  go  ilill 
farther,  and  willjudge  beforehand  of  the  charader  of  his  corref- 
pondent,  from  the  addrefs  only.— I  mean  the  hand-ivritlig  of  the 
addrefs  for  t\\&  Jlyle  in  which  it  is  conceived  fupplies  indications 
ftill  much  more  pofitive — nearly  as  the  title  of  a  book  frequently 
difcovers  to  us  fomewhat  of  the  author's  turn  of  mind. 

There  is  therefore  a  national  hand-iuritmg,  jufl  as  there  are 
national  phylionomies,  each  of  which  retraces  fcimething  of  the 
charadler  of  the  nation,  and  each  of  which,  at  the  fame  time, 
differs'  from  another.  The  fame  thing  takes  place  with  refpcft 
to  the  fcholars  of  the  fame  writing  mafler.  They  will  ail  write 
a  fimilar  hand,  and  yet  every  one  of  them  will  blend  foinethingof 
a  manner  proper  to  himfelf,  a  tint  of  his  individuality  :  rarely 
will  he  confine  himfelf  to  an  imitation  completely  fervile, 

*  But  with  the  fineft  hand,'  I  fliall  be  told,  *  with  the  moft  re- 

O  3  -      *  gular 


202  lAvater's    physiognomy. 

*  gular  hand- writing,  the  man  is  frequently,  to  the  lafl  degree, 

*  irregular.'  Raife  as  many  objections  as  you  pleaie,  this  fine 
writing,  however,  necefiarily  fuppofes  a  certain  mental  arrange- 
ment, and,  in  particular,  the  love  of  order.  The  bed  preachers 
are  often  the  moft  lax  in  both  principle  and  conduct— but  were 
they  entirely  corrupted,  they  could  not  be  good  preachers.  Be- 
jQdes,  I  am  perfe611y  affurcd  that  they  would  be  llih  more 
eloquent,  if,  according  to  the  precept  of  the  gofpel,  their  adions 
correfponded  with  their  word?.  In  order  to  write  a  fine  hand, 
one  mufi:  have,  at  leaft,  a  vain  of  energy,  of  induftr)'-,  of  precifio* 
and  taiie  ;  as  every  effect  fuppofes  a  caufe  analogous  to  it.  But 
thofeperfons  whofe  writing  is  fo  beautiful  and  fo  elegant,  would, 
perhaps,  improve  it  ftill  farther,  were  their  mind  more  cultivated 
and  adorned. 

It  is  beyond  all  doubt,  it  i^  inconteilable,  that  the  hand- writing 
is  the  criterion  of  regularity,  of  tafte,  and  of  propriety.  But 
what  is  more  problematical,  and  yet  appears  to  me  no  lefs  true,  is, 
that,  to  a  certain  degree,  it  is  likewife  the  indication  of  talents, 
of  intelleftual  faculties,  and  of  the  moral  chara6ler  infeperable 
from  them — becaufe  it  very  frequently  difcovers  the  adlual  difpo- 
fition  of  the  writer. 

Let  us  recapitulate.     I  diilinguifii  in  w'riting 

T\\Q  fuhjlance  and  body  of  tkt  letters, 
T\it\r  fonn  and  the  manner  of  roundingy 
Their  height  and  length, 
Thdr  ^o/itlon, 
Their  connexion, 

The  interval  which  feparates  them. 
The /«/<?/ «t7?/ between  the  lines. 
Whether  thefe  lad  zxcjlraight  or  aivrj^ 
IHht  fairnefs  of  the  writing, 
Its  lightnefs  or  heavinefs^ 

If  all  this  is  found  in  perfe^  Harmony,  it  is  by  no  means  diffi- 
cult 


J. 


ti-l'ii^ 


F  -^S- 


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I-    1  -^     '  J    S^ 


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1, 


5. 


5. 


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A       S3- 


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1^' 


lavater's    pkysiognomy.  203 

cult  to  difcover,  with  tolerable  precifion,  lomewliat  of  the  funda- 
mental character  of  the  writer. 

I  fugged  one  idea  more,  which  I  leave  to  the  confideration 
of  thofe  who  may  be,  like  me,  ftruck  with  it.  I  have  remarked, 
in  mod  inflances,  a  wonderful  analogy  between  the  language,  the 
gait,  and  the  hand-writing. 


Engraved  Writing.     A. 

1,  The  autography  of  a  phlegmatico-melanchollc,  fufeeptible 
of  delicacy  and  fenfibility,  but  dellitute  of  that  fpecies  of  energy 
which  is  founded  on  ferinity  of  mind.  I  am  in  doubt  whether 
the  love  of  order  and  of  neatnefs  can  have  any  attraclions  for  him, 
a  melancholic  devotee,  he  will  be  fcrupuloufly  confcientious. 

2.  In  this  piece  of  writing  there  is  much  more  life  and  warmth 
than  in  the  liril.  It  depi6lsthe  man  of  tafte.  Every  thing^  in  it 
is  more  conne6ted,  more  coherent,  more  firm  and  energetical.  I 
am  nevertheiefs  certain,  that  it  furniilies  indications  of  a  very 
phlegmatic  difpofition,  which  bends  with  difficulty  to  extraor- 
dinary exa6tnefs  and  precinon.  It  fuppofes  an  obferver  intel- 
ligent, and  well  fupplied  with  talents  of  every  fpecies,  but  who 
has  little  aotitude  for  the  arts. 


Engraved  Writing.     B. 

Of  all  thefe  hands,  10,  announces  the  lead  vivacity. 

5.  Promifes  much  order,  precifion,  and  tafle. 

In  7,  there  is^ftill  more  precifion  and  firmnefs,  but,  perhaps, 
lefs  fpirit. 

2.  DIfcovers  a  flight,  uncertain,  and  flu6luatmg  chara6ler. 

I ,  Fire  and  caprice.  ^  - 

O  3  6.  Delicacy 


204  LAVATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

6.  Delicacy  and  taftc. 
3.  Activity  and  penetration. 
8.  Bears  the  imprefs  of  genius  ; 
And  9,  ftill  much  more  fo. 

CHAP.      VII. 


Of  Dress. 

I  MUST  likewifefay  a  word  or  two  refpefting  dj^efs  :  attention 

muft  neceffarily  be  paid  to  this  article,  if  we  meao  to  dkivt  into  the 

knowledge    of  man.    In   effeft,   a    man,   of  ferife    dreffts  quite 

differently  from  a  coxcomb,  a  devotee  diiferentiy  from  a  coquette. 

Neatnefs  and  negligence,  fimplicity  and  magnificence,  good  and 

bad     tafle,     prefumption     and     decency,     modefty     and    falfe 

fiiame— thefe  are  fo  miany   particulars  diftinguifhable  by  drefs 

alone  ;    the   colour,     the     cut,    the     falhion,     the     alfortment 

of  a  habit,  all  thefe  are  exprefSve,  and  charafterize  the  wearer. 

The  fage  is  limple  and  plain  in  his  exterior  :  fmiplicity  is  natural 

to  him.     It  is  eafy  to  find  out  a  man  who  dreffes  with  a  defign 

to  pleafe  ;  one  whofe    only  object    is    tq  lliine  ;  an  intentional 

floven,  v/hether  it  proceeds   from  a   contempt   of  decorum,  or 

an  affedlation  of  lingularity.     It  Is  inconceiveable  how  any  one 

fhould   fo  eafily  forget  how  much   he  expofes  himfelf,  what  a 

fpefhacle    he    exhibits,   by  his   manner   of   dreffing.      Women 

efpecially,  women  the  mod  fenfible  and  prudent,  nay,  I  will  add, 

the  moft  devout,  frequently  do  themfelves  an  irreparable  injury, 

and  appear  in  a  light  infinitely  dif^dvantageous,  by  impropriety 

in  drefs.     They  who  know  fo  well  how  to  feel  and  to  edimate 

the  beautiful  ;  they  on  whom  is  beftowed  fo  much  d;fcernment 

and  delicacy  ;  who  are  under  fo  many  obligations  to  obferve  and 

fupport  the   laws  of    decency  and  propriety—  ought   they   not 

always^ 


lavater's  physiognomy.  205 

always  to  reftrift  themfeives,  in  the  article  of  drefs,  to  that  noble 
fimplicity,  which  will  effedtually  fcreen  them  from  cenfare  and 
malevolent  decilions  ? 


*  * 


Some  remarks  might  like  wife  be  made  refpefting  the 
choice  and  arrangement  of  furniture.  From  trifles  of  this 
fort  a  judgment  may  frequently  be  formed  of  the  underlland- 
ing  and  charadler  of  the  propiietor — but  every  thing  muit 
not  be  told. 


LECTURE 


mtHt  II  ■i>"i'iiiwiipiw 


LECTURE    X. 


Of  the  Different  Parts  of  the  Body. 

CHAP,    I. 

Introduction. 

Such  of  my  readers  as  have  accompanied  me  hitherto  with  at- 
tention, and  thofe  in  particular,  who  have  taken  the  trouble  to  in-r 
veftigate  and  to  verif}'-  my  phyfiognomical  decifions,  mud  have  al- 
ready collected,  to  doubt,  a  great  number  of  obfervations  on  the 
different  parts  of  thehuman  body.  I  think  myfel.f  obliged,  never- 
t':<.Iefs,  to  confidcreach  of  them  feparately,  in  a  diflinct  Le<5lure  ; 
and  the  ratHer,  as  this  analytical  examiriation  will  introduce  a 
a  variety  of  detsils,  the  application  of  which  may,  in  the  fequel, 
be  of  confidciable  advantage.  Every  part  of  body,  coniidered 
cither  apart  in  itfelf,  or  colledtively  in  its  relations,  becomes 
a  new  text  pregnant  with  inftru6lion.  There  is  not  a  (li'-olc  one 
of  them  but  preferves  the  imprefsand  the  charafter  of  the  whole 
no  one  but  is  either  the  caufe  or  effcft  of  one  and  tlie  fame  indi- 
viduality.    We  have  already  obfervcd,  but  it  cannot  be  repeated 

toq 


lavater's    physiognomy.  207 

too  frequently,  that  in  man  every  thing-  characterizes  man — that, 
yiolent  accidents  excepted,  we  may  conclude  from  the  part  to  the 
whole,  and  from  the  whole  to  the  part — that,  finally,  it  is  of  the 
laft  importance  to  excite  and  to  fix  our  phyfiognomical  fenfe  ref- 
pe<?ling  the  wonderful  harmony  of  the  human  frame.  1  am  very 
far,  however,  from  pretending  to  mathematical  certainty,  I  dare 
not  even  flatter  myfelf,  that  I  have  elucidated  this  fubje6^,  fo  as  to 
force  convi6lion  on  all  who  may  read  my  book  ;  but  one  thing  is 
certain,  namely,  that  my  obfervations  and  experiments  are  fuffi- 
cient  to  produce,  in  myfelf,  complete y  J)erfofiai  conviclion-,  and  that 
they  have  enabled  me  to  give  fome  general  ideas.  What  a  new 
degree  of  certainty  will  our  fcicnce  acquire,  when  it  is  once  de- 
monftrated,  on  inconteftable  principles,  that  every  part,  that 
every  detached  member  of  the  body,  has  its  pofitive  fignification  ! 
The  approximation  and  compofition  of  all  thefe  feparate  parts  of 
will  contribute  more  than  ever  to  illuminate  and  to  confirm  the 
progrefs  of  the  phyfionomift,  and  their  perfeA  harmony  will 
furnifli  the  higheft  degree  of  evidence  to  the  induftions  and 
proofs  which  each  of  them  feparately  fupphes.  Will  the  molt 
obftinate  increduHty  be  able  to  hold  out  agalnft  fo  many  con« 
(:urring  teftimonies  ?— But  I  defift. 


CHAP.      11. 

Of  the  Head,  Face,  and  Profile. 

The  head  of  man  is,  of  all  the  parts  of  the  body,  the  moll 
noble  and  the  moll  eflential  ;  it  is  the  principal  feat  of  the  mind, 
the  centre  of  our  intelledlual  faculties.  This  propofition  is  true 
jn  every  fenfe,  and  Hands  in  no  need  of  proof.  The  face  of  man 
would  be  fignificant,  even  through  the  reft  of  his  exterior  were 
not  fo,  and  the  form  and  proportions  of  his  head  would  be  fuffi- 
cient  to  make  him  known.  We  have  already  treated  this  fubje6t 
in  the  chapters  of  Silhouettes,  and  of  the  fcull ;  we  faall  refume 
it  prefently  in  the  chapter  of  the  forehead ;  we  confine  ourfelvess 
|;hcreforej,  at  prefent,  to  fome  particular  refle£iions. 

A  head 


2o3  lavater's  physiognomy. 

A  head  in  proportion  with  the  reft  of  the  body,  which  appears 
fuch  on  the  fiilt  glance,  and  which  is  neither  too  large  nor  too 
fmall,  announces,  eveiy  thing  elfe  being  equal,  a  mental  character 
much  more  perfeft  than  is  to  be  expected  from  an  ill  propor- 
tioned head.  Too  bulky,  it  indicates  ainioft  always,  grofs  Jlu' 
pid'ity '—'X.oo  fmall,  it  is  a  fign  of  iveaknefi  and  injignificance, 

Kowever  well-proportioned  the  head  may  be  to  the  body,  it  is 
ntcefTary,  befides,  that  it  be  neither  too  round  nor  too  long  ;  the 
more  regular,  the  more  perfect  likewife  it  is.  That  head  may  be 
ccnfidered  as  of  a  proper  organization,  whofe  perpendicular 
height,  taken  from  the  extremity  of  the  occiput  to  the  point  of 
the  nofe,  is  equal  to  its  horizontal  breadth.  As  to  the  face,  I 
begin  with  dividing  it  into  three  parts,  the  firft  of  which  extends 
from  the  top  of  the  forehead  to  the  eye-brows  ;  the  fecond,  from 
the  eye-brows  to  the  lower  extremity  of  the  nofe  ;  the  third, 
from  the  lower  extremity  of  the  nofe  to  the  extremity  of  the  chin- 
bone.  The  more  proportional  thefe  diviiious  are,  the  more  ftrik- 
ing  their  fymmetry  on  the  firft  look,  the  more  you  may  depend 
on  the  proper  difpofition  of  the  mental  faculties,  and  on  the  re- 
gularity of  the  chara6ler  in  general.  In  an  extraordinary  man, 
the  equality  of  thefe  three  feftions  is  rarely  very  apparent ;  you 
will  always  fmd  it,  however,  lefs  or  more,  in  almoft  every  in- 
dividual, provided  that,  in  taking  the  dimenfions,  you  employ  not 
a  ftraight  rule,  but  an  inftrument  more  flexible,  which  you  can 
apply  -immediately  to  the  face. 

The  following  are  the  raoft  efTential  principles  for  directing  the 
phyfionomift  in  the  ftudy  of  the  face.  He  muft,  i.  Compare  it 
with  the  proportions  of  the  whole  body.  2.  Obferve  whether  it 
be  oval,  round,  or  fquare,  or  of  a  form  in  which  thefe  are  happily 
blended.  3.  Examine  it  according  to  the  perpendicular  relations 
of  the  three  divifions  which  we  have  adopted.  4.  Confult  the 
expreffion  and  the  energy  of  the  principal  features,  as  they  appear 
at  a  certain  diftance.  5.  Attend  to  the  harmony  of  the  features, 
properly  fo  called.  6.  To  the  delign,  the  flexion,  and  fliades,  of 
fome  particular  features.  7,  To  the  lines  which  form  the  exterior 
contours  of  the  face,  taken  at  three-fourths.     8.  To  the  curve 

^1^4 


Taiji'  :io8. 


VolM. 


Jl 


20 


L 


1^  - 


V 
1. 


"Xi  ^7^^ — ^- ' 

i3  tir^^i 


,^tv  ■  r  ».-^-^-r:^^-— .-^-i 


V     I'iUji'     -i//}  , 


2(U1 


LAVATER.   S    PHYSIOGNOMY.  209 

and  relations  of  its  parts,  viewed  in  profile.  Again,  if  yon  con- 
fider  the  face  from  top  to  bottom,  and  then  turn  it  in  fuch  a 
manner  as  fjmply  to  perceive  the  exterior  contour  of  the  bone  of 
the  eye  and  of  the  cheek  bone — the  rules  of  phyiiognomy  will 
enable  you  to  make  aftonifhing  difcoveries,  by  means  of  which 
you  m^y  be  afiiiled  in  determining  the  primitive  character.  As 
to  the  reft,  I  have  already  faid,  the  originally  and  effence  of  the 
charafter  appear  more  diftinftly  and  m.ore  pofitively  in  the  folid 
parts^  and  in  the  featureo  ftrongly  drawn  ;  whereas  the  habitual 
and  acquired  difpofitions  are  more  commonly  remarked  in  the 
fofter  part?,  particularly  in  the  under  part  of  the  face,  and  in  the 
moment  of  adlion. 

If  you  are  examining  a  face  whofe  organization  is  either  robufl: 
or  delicate  in  the  extreme,  the  character  may  be  eilimated  much 
more  eafiiy  by  the  profile  than  by  the  full  face.  Without  takin':r 
into  the  accompt,  that  the  profile  is  lefs  affected  by  diillmulation, 
it  prefents  lines  more  vigoroully  marked,  more  precife,  more  fim^ 
pie,  more  pure,  and,  confequently,  their  fignification  is  eafiiy 
caught  ;  whereas,  very  frequently,  it  is  a  m,atter  of  confiderable 
difficulty  to  unravel  and  decypher  the  lines  of  the  full  face. 

The  face,  taken  at  three-fourths,  prefents  two  different  con- 
tours, both  very  expreffive  to  one  ever  fo  little  a  proficient  in  the 
fcience  of  phyfiognomy, 

A  beautiful  profile  always  fuppofes  the  analogy  of  a  dillin- 
guifhed  charadler,  but  you  may  meet  with  a  thoufand  profiles 
which,  without  being  beautiful,  admit  of  fuperiority  of 
character. 

Difproportion  is  the  p?.rts  of  the  face  has  an  influence  on  the 
phyfiological  conftitution  of  m^an  ;  it  decides  concerniug  his  moral 
and  inttlleaual  impeifcdions.  Of  all  the  profiles  of  the  annexed 
plate,  is  there  a  fingle  one  that  you  can  call  regular  or  agreeable  ? 
a  fingle  one,  from  whom  ycu  could  form  the  fiigLteft  expecta- 
tion ?  a  fingle  one  whom  you  would  choofe  as  a  huioand,  ad  a 
friend,  as  a  counfelloi  ?  And  will  the  mofl  determined  anti-pJ^.yfi- 

onomftc. 


2IO  lavater's    physiognomy. 

oTiomiii:,  tlie  moft  obdinate  fpirit  of  contradi^ion,  prefurae  to 
hy,  thefe  phyfionomies  are  noble,  diilinguiflied,  and  intelligent  ? 
No,  fiirely,  and  the  reafon  of  it  is  obvious.  They  all  deviate 
from  the  uiiial  proportions,  and  fuch  a  deviation  neceflarily  pro- 
duces difgufling  forms  and  features. 

W^  have  eftablifiied  three  diviiions  for  the  face  :  the  nrH,  the 
forehead  down  to  the  eye-brov/s  ;  the  fecond^  from  the  eye-brows 
to  the  extremity  of  the  nofe  ;  and  the  third,  from  the  extremity" 
of  the  nofe  to  the  point  of  the  chin.  We  may  adopt  a  fourth 
fection,  from  the  fummit  of  the  head  to  the  root  of  the  hair  bor- 
dering on  the  forehead.  In  all  the  heads  of  the  print,  the  dif- 
proportions  are  ftriking,  and,  confequently,  the  effefts  refulting 
from  them  are  fo  likewife.  If  the  iirlL  feciion  is  of  too  great  an 
extent,  as  No.  lO,  the  fecond  muft  iiaturally  be  too  fnort  j  or  if 
this  too  is  out  of  proportion  long,  it  mull  infalHbly  be  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  the  two  lower  fedlions,  as  you  may  be  convinced  by 
looking  at  the  profiles  2,  8,  9.  Tlie  more  ftriking  the  difpro- 
portion  is  in  any  one  of  the  parts  of  the  face,  the  more  it  will 
afFeft  all  the  others.  Nos.  4,  5,  8,  ^,  and  10,  are  fo  many 
proofs  of  this. 

I  have  to  fubjoin  a  few  obfervation  more.  Not  a  fingle  one  cF 
thefe  twelve  heads  is  really  to  be  found,  were  you  to  fearch  for  it 
among  ten  thoufand.  It  is  poilible  there  may  be,  at  moil,  and 
by  an  extreme  fingularity,  a  face  Vv'ith  a  kind  of  refemblance  to 
No.  ! ,  or,  which  would  be  ftill  rarer,  to  No.  3  ',  the  under  part 
of  No.  2,  likewife,  might,  though  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  it 
have  a  fellow — but  the  originals  of  4,  5,  8,  10,  12,  certainly  no- 
where exlft.  If  nature  has  furniPiied  the  mould  of  the  under  part 
of  No-,  6,  never,  however,  could  fne  have  affociated  the  upper 
part  with  it.  No.  7,  enters  more  into  the  order  of  poflible  beings. 
1^0.  9,  if  it  vegetates  any  where,  prefents  the  idea  of  a  lethargic 
fenfuality,  of  a  real  machine  ;  but,  even  in  this  abjeft  fiate,  it  is 
related  to  humanity,  and  difters  effentially  from  all  animal  con- 
formation. No.  1O5  is  a  hideous  caricatura,  though  fufiiciently 
homogeneous  in  itfelf  :  however  monftrous  the  nofe,-  it  has,  how- 
ever, nothing  of  the  brute  5  and  the  phyfionomy  preferves  a  fort 

of 


LA  VATEPv's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  211: 

of  character,  which,  perhaps,  there  might  be  fome  means  of  de- 
termining, by  confining  it  to  one  fingle  objeci:.  The  fliocking 
brutality  of  No.  12,  and,  in  general j  the  ilupidity  of  all  the 
others,  proceed  not  only  from  the  vacuity,  from  the  want  of  miif- 
cles,  and  the  incDherence  to  be  remarked  In  the  whole,  but  llke- 
v/ife  from  the  Immoderate  length  of  the  lower  feftions,  and  the 
fhortening  of  the  upper  :  what  ftill  more  depreiTes  the  cliaracler 
is  tliat  long  blunt  chin,  fo  deftitute  of  all  energy.  The  fame  ex- 
preflion  appears  In  chin  3,  but  in  an  inferior  degree.  On  the 
fuppoHtion  that  the  other  profiles  could  pofTibly  admit  of  a 
charafler.  No.  5,,  would  indicate  the  higheft  pitch  of  cowardice 
and  Incapacity:  8,  the  mod  fordid  avarice;  and  11,  the  moll 
InfufFerable  pedantry. 


CHAP.      IIL 

Of    the    Forehead. 

I  WAS  almofl  tempted  to  write  a  whole  volume  on  ^t  forehead 
only — that  part  of  the  body  which  has  juftly  been  denominated 
the  gate  of  the  fouU  the  temple  of  modefly  ;  (anhni  januatn,  templum 
pudoris).  All  that  is  In  my  power  to  fay  of  it  here  is  either  too 
much  or  too  little.  In  order  to  reduce  the  volume  to  a  moderate 
fize,  I  fliall  fatisfy  myfelf  with  inferting  in  the  text  my  own  ob- 
-fervations  on  the  fubjed,  and  fliall  fubjoln,  In  fmaller  characters, 
a'  variety  of  pafTages  extra(51:ed  from  authors  who  have  treated  it 
before  me.  Thefe  quotations  will  fhew  how  all  my  predecefTors 
have  copied  from  each  other,  how  vague  and  contradiftory  their 
reafonlngs  are,  how  harfli  and  Inconfeqtiential  their  decifions.  It 
J  dwell  in  preference  on  "Ch^  forehead^  It  Is,  firft,  becaufe  of  all  the 
parts  of  the  face  it  is  the  mofl  important  and  the  mofl  charac- 
teriillc  ;  that  which  contributes  the  mofl  to  our  obfervations, 
that  which  I  have  fludied  with  the  greatefl  care,  and  which,  con- 
fcquently,  I  am  fufiiciently  mafter  of  to  eflimate,  and  to  corred 
the  judgments  which  have  been  pronounced  concerning  it. — In 
the  fecond  place,  becaufe  it  is  the  part  on  which  the  ancient  phy- 

fionomifts 


212  lavater's  physiognomy. 

fionomifls  have  bellowed  moll  attention.  When  you  have  gone 
through  this  chapter,  you  will  know  almoft  all  that  has  been 
written  phyfiognomically  on  this  fubjecl^  Only  I  have  omitted 
the  reveries  of  chiromancers  and  Metapofcopifts  refpefting  the 
lines  of  the  forehead.  I  do  not  mean  to  fay,  however,  that  thefe 
lines  are  abfolutely  without  character  and  without  fignification  ; 
nor  that  they  cannot  be  founded  on  fome  immediate  caufe,  and 
furnifh  certain  indications  ;  but  this  is  all,  and,  far  from  having 
an  influence  on  a  man's  fortune^  as  Metapofcopifts  pretend,  they 
only  announce,  in  my  opinion,  the  meafure  oi\C\%Jlrengih  or  'weak* 
nefs,  of  his  h^ritabiUty  or  non-lrritabUlty,  of  his  capacity  or  incapacity. 
It  is  in  this  fenfe  therefore,  at  moft,  that  they  can  enable  us  to 
form  a  conjefture  concerning  the  man's  future  fortune,  nearly  as 
the  greatnefs  or  mediocrity  of  his  fortune  may  affift  us  in  con- 
jecturing the  rank  of  life  to  which  he  is  deftined. 


%     % 


1  begin  with  my  own  obfervations. 

The  bony  part  of  the  forehead,  its  form,  its  height,  its  arch,  its 
proportion,  its  regularity  or  irregularity,  mark  the  vJfpoJition  and 
the  meafure  of  owe  faculties ,  our  way  of  thinking  and  feeling.  The 
Jhin  of  the  forehead,  its  polition,  its  colour^  its  tenfion  or  relaxa- 
tion, difcover  th^  pa/Jions  of  the  foul,  the  actual Jlate  of  our  mind  : 
or,  in  other  words,  iht  folid part  of  the  forehead  indicates  the  /k- 
ternal  meafure  of  our  faculties,  and  the  moveable  part  the  ufe  which 
we  make  of  them. 

'  The  folide  part  remains  always  what  it  is,  even  when  the  ilcin 
that  covers  it  becomes  wrinkled.  As  to  wrinkles,  they  vary  ac- 
cording to  the  bony  conformation.  The  wrinkles  of  a  flat  fore- 
head are  different  from  thofe  of  one  that  is  arched  ;  fo  that,  con- 
fidering  them  abftra6ledly,  they  may  aflift  us  in  judging  of  the 
form  of  the  forehead  ;  and  reciprocally,  it  may  be  pofilble  to  de- 
termine, after  the  form,  the  wrinkles  which  it  muft  produce.  Such 

■  a  forehead  admits  only  perpendicular  wrinkles  ;  they  will  be  ex- 

clufively 


lavater's  physiognomy.  21^ 

clufively  horizontal  in  a  fecond,  arched  in  a  third,  blended  and 
complicated  in  a  fourth.  The  fmoolhefl:  foreheads,  and  which 
have  the  feweft  angles,  ufually  give  rife  to  the  moft  fimple  and 
regular  wrinkles. 

Without  purfuing  this  digreflion  farther,  I  proceed  to  what  is 
effential.  We  are  going  to  examine  the  dcfign,  the  contour^  and 
th^  pojitlon  of  the  forehead — which  is  precifely  the  thing  that  all 
phyfionomifts,  ancient  and  modern,  have  negledled  fufficiently 
to  inveftigated. 

Plate  C. 

Foreheads,  viewed  in  profile,  may  be  reduced  to  three  general 
clafTes.  They  Jlope  backivardj  or  are  perpendicular^  or  prominent. 
Each  of  thefe  claffes  admits  of  an  Infinite  fubdivifion,  which  it 
is  eafy  to  diftinguifii  by  /pedes,  and  of  which  the  following 
are  the  principal. 

1.  Straight  lined (oYeh.ed.ds.  2,  Tho^evAio^e  lines,  half  curnied 
and  half  Jiraight,  run  into  each  other,  3  Thofe  whofe  lines,  half 
curved,   half  Jlraight,    interfeS  each    other.      4.    Foreheads   with 

Jimple  curved  lines.     5.  Thofe  with  double  or  triple  curved  lines. 

Let  us  now  eftablifli  fome  particular  obfervatlons. 

J.  The  more  lengthened l\\e  (oYehedid.  is,  the  more  deftltute  Is 
the  mind  of  energy  and  elafticity, 

2.  The  clofer,  Jhorter,  and  more  compaB  it  Is,  the  more  concen- 
trated, firm,  and  folid,  is  the  character. 

3.  Contours  arched,  and  without  ancrles,  determine  in  favour  of 
gentlenefs  and  flexibility  of  charafter.  This,  on  the  contrary, 
will  poffcfs  firmnefs  and  inflexibility,  in  proportion  as  the  con- 
tours of  the  forehead  are  fliraight. 

4.  Complete  perpendicularity,  from  the  hair  to  the  eye-brows,  is 
the  fign  of  a  total  want  of  underiianding. 

5   A 


'<  2!4  LAVAtBR's    PHYiSIOGNOMY. 

5.  A  perpendicular  form,  injenfihly  arched  a-top  as  in  No,  6  of  the 
plate,  announces  a  mind  capable  of  much  refie^iion,  a  {laid  and 
profound  thinker, 

6.  Prominent  foreheads,  fuch  as  9,  io,  11,  and  12,  belong 
to  feeble  and  contracted  mind?,  and  which  never  will  attain  a 
certain  maturity. 

7.  Sloping  hacliivard,  as  i,  2,  3,  i^,  they  indicate,  in  general j 
Imagination,  fpirit,  and  delicacy. 

•8.  When  a  forehead,  rounded  and  prominent  abovci  defcends  in  a 
flraight  line  below,  and  prefents  in  the  whole  a  perpendicular 
form,  nearly  fuch  a  No.  7,  you  may  reckonon  a  great  fund  of 
judgment,  vivacity,  and  irritability— but  you  muft  lay  your  ac- 
count, at  the  fame  time,  with  finding  a  heart  of  ice. 

9.  Straight  lined  foreheads,  and  which  are  placed  obliquely ,  are 
likewife  the  mark  of  a  lively  and  ardent  charader. 

10.  The  Straight  forehead,  No.  5,  feems  to  belong  to  a  female 
head,  and  prociifes  a  clear  underftanding.  (I  purpofely  avoid 
faying  the  underftanding  of  a  Thinker,  becaufe  I  do  not  love  to 
employ  this  term  when  fpcaking  of  the  female  fex.  The  moll 
rational  women  are  little,  if  at  all,  capable  o^  thinking,  They/'^r- 
ceive  images,  they  know  how  to  catch  and  to  afibciate  them,  but 
they  fcarcely  go  farther,  and  every  thing  abftradl  is  beyond  their 
reach,)  The  contour  8,  is  infupportably  brutal.  No.  12,  is  the 
height  of  weaknefs  and  ftupidity, 

1 1 .  In  order  to  conilitute  a  perfe6i:  chara6ler  of  wifdoTn,  there 
muft  be  a  happy  aJfeciatiGn  of  Jlraight  and  curved  lities,  and,  be- 
fides,  a  happy  polition  of  forehead.  The  affociation  of  lines  is 
happy  when  they  imperceptibly  run  into  each  other  ;  and  I  call 
that  a  happy  pofition  of  forehead  which  is  neither  too  perpendi- 
cular nor  too  Hoping,  in  the  tafte  of  No.  2. 

12.  I  durft  almoft  venture  to  adopt  it  as  a  phyfiognomical 
axiom,  that  there  is  the  fame  relation  between  ftraight  lines  and 

curves 


iavater's   physiognomy.  215 

curves,  confidered  as  fiich,  as  there  is  between  {Ireiigth  and 
iveaknefs,  between  iliffnefs  and  iiexiblity,  between  fenfe  and 
mind. 

13  The  following  is  an  obfervation  which  has  never  hitherto 
deceived  me.  When  the  lone  of  the  eye  is  prominent,  you  have 
the  fign  of  a  fingiilar  aptitude  for  mental  labour,  of  an  extraor- 
dinary fagacity  for  great  cnterprlfes. 

14.  But  without  this  prominent  angle,  there  are  excellent 
heads  which  have,  on  that  account,  only  the  more  folidity,  when 
the  under  part  of  the  forehead  fmks,  like  a  perpendicular  wall,  on 
eyebrows  placed  horizontally,  and  when  it  rounds  and  arches  im* 
perceptibly,  on  both  fides,  toward  the  temples. 

15.  Perpendicular  foreheads  v/hich  advance,  and  which,  with- 
out reding  immediately  on  the  root  of  the  nofe,  are  either  narrow 
and  wrinkled,  or  fhort  and  fmooth,  infallibly,  preiage  a  deficiency 
of  capacity,  of  wit,  of  imagination,  of  fenfibility. 

16.  Foreheads  loaded  v/ith  many  angular  and  knotty  protu- 
berances, are  the  certain  mark  of  a  fiery  fpirit,  which  its  own  ac- 
tivity  tranfports,  and  which  nothing  is  able  tu  reflram. 

17.  Always  confider  as  the  fign  of  a  clear  and  found  under- 
ftanding,  and  of  a  good  complexion,  every  forehead  which  pre- 
fents,  in  profile,  two  proportioned  arches,  of  which  the  lower  ad- 
vances. 

18.  I  have  always  difcovered  great  elevation  of  mind  and  good- 
nefs  of  heart  in  thofe  whofe  eye  bone  is  very  apparent,  diilindtly 
marked,  and  arched  in  fuch  a  manner  as  be  ealilv  hit  in  drawing: 
it.     All  the  ideal  heads  of  antiquity  have  this  curve 

19.  I  rank  among  the  mod  judicious  and  the  moil  pofitive  cha- 
ja6lers  the  fquare  foreheads  whofe  lateral  margins  are  dill  fuf- 
iiciently  fpacious,  and  whofe  eyebone  is,  at  the  fame  time,  very 
folid. 

Vol.  hi.  P  20  Per. 


2l6  LArATER.''s     PHYSIOGNOMY. 

20.  Perpendicular  wrinkles,  when  they  are  otherwife  analagouf 
to  the  forehead,  fuppofe  great  application,  and  equal  energy. 
If  they  are  horizontal  and  cut  off,  either  in  the  middle  or  toward 
the  top,  they  ufually  proceed  from  indolence,  or  weaknefs  of 
mind. 

21.  Profound  perpendicular  incilions  in  the  bone  of  the  fore- 
head between  the  eyebrows,  belong  exclufively  to  perfons  of  un- 
common capacity,  who  think  nobly  and  intelligently.  Only 
thefe  traits  mufl  not  be  counter-balanced  by  others  pofitivelj  con- 
tradictory. 

22.  When  the  frontal  vein,  or  the  bluifh  Y,  appears  very  dif-. 
tin6lly  in  the  middle  of  an  open  forehead,  exempt  from  wrinkles^ 
and  regularly  arched,  I  always  reckon  on  extraordinary  talents,, 
and  on  a  charadler  impaffioned  for  the  love  of  goodnefs. 

23.  Let  us  colleft  the  diftinchive  figns  of  a  perfe6tly  beautiful 
forehead,  whofe  exprefiion  and  form  at  once  announce  richnefs  o£ 
judgment  and  dignity  of  chara£ler. 

a.  For  this  efFeft,  it  mud  be  in  the  mcft  €xa6l;  proportion  with 
the  reft  of  the  faee^  that  is,  equal  in  length  to  the  nofe  and  lower 
part. 

h.  In  it&  breadth  it  ought  to  approach,  toward  the  fummit, 
cither  to  the  oval  or  the  fquare,  (The  firfl  of  thefe  forms  is,  in 
fome  meafure,  naUoiml\.o\}iiQ  great  men  of  England.) 

c.  Exempt  from  every  fpecies  of  Inequalities  and  permanent 
wrinkles,  it  muil,  however,  be  fufceptible  of  thefe  ;  but  then  it 
will  exhibit  fuch  contradiftions  only  in  the  raomerits.'of  ferious 
{Heditation,  in  an  ernotion  of  grief  or  indignatioa. 

i*  It  muil  retreat  above,,  and  advance  below. 

e.  The  bone  of  tlie  eye  will  be  fmooth,  and  alraoit  horizontal  r 
view'ed  downward,  it  will  defcribe  a  regular  curve. 

/.A  fmaU 


lavater's   physiognomy.  ^17 

f.  A  fmall  perpendicular  and  tranfverfe  cavity  is  no  injury  to 
the  beauty  of  a  forehead-— thefe  lines,  however,  ought  to  be  fuf- 
iiciently  delicate,  fo  as  not  to  be  perceived  but  Vv^hen  a  very 
flrong  light,  from  above,  falls  upon  it  :  befidcs,  they  mull  divide 
the  forehead  into  four  almoll  equal  copartments. 

g.  The  colour  of  the  flcin  ought  to  be  clearer  than  that  of  the 
other  parts  of  the  face. 

h.  The  contours  of  the  forehead  v^^ill  be  difpofed  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner that  if  you  perceive  a  •fe6l:ion  which  comprehends  nearly  the 
third  of  the  whole,  you  fhall  fcarcely  be  able  to  diilinguifh  whe- 
ther it  defcribes  a  ftraight  line  or  a  curve. 

25.  Foreheads  fhort,  wrinkled,  knotty,  irregular,  funk  on  one 

fide,  flanting,  or  which  gather  into  plaits  ahvays  in    a  different 

manner,  will  never  be  a  recommendation  to  me,  nor  ever  capti- 
vate my  friendlhip, 

24.  As  long  as  your  brother,  your  friend,  or  your  enemy— -as 
long  as  a  man,  and  that  man  a  malefactor,  prefects  to  you  a  well- 
proportioned  and  open  forehead,  do  not  defpair  of -him  :  he  is  ilill 
fufceptible  of  amendment. 

My  farther  details  on  this  fubfecl  are  refcrvcd   for  the  treat ife 
on  Fhyfiognomical  Lines. 


P2  SUPPLE- 


.—^■inj.p— p^Bwy iwLMiiiiwji*»ji 'm     II    wiL  JIB  m  ■■■■<^«»ww<wpi^a 


SUPPLEMENT  to  the  CHAPTERon  the  FOREHEAD ; 


CONTA I NI NG 


T/:}e  Opinions  and  Judgments  and  of  different  Phyjlonomljls  on  this 
Part  of  the  Face,  ivlth  my  Remarks* 


*j\  ^»'. 


I. 


ChiromancV  ;  a  Work  in  German,  without  the  Au-^ 
thor's  name,  printed  at  Frankfort,  by  the  heirs  op 
Christian  Egens,  mdxciv. 

A  NARROW  forehead  announces  a  man  indocile  and  vora- 
cious. (The  firil  of  thefe  affertions  is  true,  but  I  do  not  fee  how 
voracity  can  depend  on  the  narrownefs  of  the  forehead.)  *  Abroad 
«  forehead  charaderizes  immodefty  ;  rounded,  it  is  the  indication 
«  of  choler  ;  funh  in  the  lonver  part,  it  promifes  a  modeft  fpint,  a 
<  heart  inimical  to  vice.'  (All  this  is  prodigioufiy  vague,  and, 
in  many  refpefts,  extremely  falfe.  With  any  forehead  whatever 
a  man  may  plunge  into  impurity,  give  way  to  violent  tranfports, 
or  avoid  certain  vices  ;  but  it  is  altogether  falfe  that  the  breadth 
of  the  forehead  is  the  chara6leriftic  fign  of  immodefty,  and 
its  roundnefs  that  of  choler.  I  am  rather  difpofed  to  believe  the 
contrary.     As  to  foreheads  wliich  are/f/«^  toward  the  under  party 

that 


lavater's  physiognomy.  219 

that  is  to  fay,  prominent  in  the  upper,  I  believe  them  to  be  ftupid, 
cowardly,  incapable  of  great  enterprifes.) 

«  kfquare  forehead  fuppofes  a  great   fund  of   wifdom    and 

*  courage.  (All  phyfionomifts  are  agreed  as  to  this  ;  but,  m 
order  to  reduce  it  to  a  general  propofitlon,  it  ought  to  be  laid 
down  with  greater  preciiion. ) 

*  A  forhead  at  once  elevated  and  rounded,  denotes  a  man  frank, 

*  benevolent  and  beneficent,  eafy  to  live  with,  ferviceable,  grate- 

*  ful,  and  virtuous.'  (All  this  is  not  exclufive,  and  in  a  great  mea- 
fure,  depends  on  the  pofition  and  confliiution  of  the  forehead.) 

*  A  homely  forehead,  nv'ithout  nvr'inhles,  can  fuit  only  a  fierce  and 

*  perfidious  warrior,  rather  fimple  than  enlightened.'  (This  is  ftill 
extremely  vague  ;  and  v/ith  regard  to  the  want  of  wrinkles,  I 
would,  for  the  mod  part,  declare  myfelf  of  the  contrary  opinion^ 


III 


Chiromancy  and  Physiognomy,  divested  of  all  their 
Superstitions,  Vanities,  and  Illusions,  by  Christian 
ScHALiz.     (What  a  title /) 

*  A  forehead  too  large  is  the  fign  of  a  character  timid,  indo- 
'  lent,  and  ilupid.'  (That  is  according  to  circumftances.  The 
author  is  in  the  right,  if  he  means  a  large  deformed  forehead,  un- 
equal, and  funk  in  the  middle  ;  but  the  remark  is  falfe,  if  it  be 
applied  to  a  forehead  otherwife  beautiful  and  regularly  arched.) 

*  A  narroiu  and  fmall  forehead,  denotes  a  man  inconftant, 
*  reftlefs,  and  indocile. 

'  If  it  is  oUong,  it  indicates  good  fenfe  and  an  open  charaCler.' 
(This  is  too  vague.) 

P  3  «  If 


220  lavater's  physiognomy. 

*  If  it  IS  fqtiare,  it  indicates  magnanimity  ;  if  circular ^"^d^ioTi^ 
?  and llupidity.'     (See  my  remarks  on  article  I.) 

*  Elevation  of  forehead  is  the  indication  of  an  obftin^te  and  in- 

*  conilant  temper.'    (This  definition  is  vague  and  contfadi6lory. ) 

*  Flainefsy  of  an  effeminate  difpofition.'      (This  is  true  to  a  cer- 
tain degree,  but  fails  in  point  of  precifion.) 

'  A  forehead  loaded  'with  wrinkles  denotes  a  mind  reflecting  and 
melancholic."  (Sometimes  alfo  a  narrow  and  frivolous  mind.  It 
is  the  difpofition  of  the  wrinkles  which  deterrmines  the  queftion, 
their  regularity  or  irregularity,  their  tenlion  or  relaxation.) 

*■  K  Jiiper abundance  of  ivrinkles  characterizes  a  man  prompt  and 
^  violent,  vvho  does  not  eafdy  recover  from  his  tranfports.'  (Thig 
too  equally  depends  oh  the  nature  of  the  wrinkles.) 

*  If  they  occupy  only  the  upper  part  of  the  forehead,  they  exprefs 

*  an  aftonifliment  bordering  on  ftupidity.'    (There  is  much  truth 
in  this  obfervation.) 

*  If  they  are  concentrated  toward  the  root  of  the  «©  ^,  they  an? 

*  nounce  a  man  grave  and  melancholy.'   (This  is  ft  ill  vague.) 

*  But  a  forehead  entirely  exempt  from  wrinkles  can  be  the  effeCt 

*  only  of  a  gay  and  fprightly  humoufv 

*  With  a  forehead  excejfively  fmoothed,  one  muft  of  neceflity  be 

*  a  flatterer.     (This  propontion  is  palpably  indeterminate.) 

*  A  ^/c2/i:/fi^  forehead  is  the  mark  of  a  charaCter  morofe,  glop- 
'  my,  and  cruel. 

*  A  forehead  unequal  and  har/Jj,  alternately  interfered  with 

*  heights   aud  hollows,  prefents  the    image  of  a  man  prodigal, 

*  debauched,  and   faithlefs.'     (Or,  perhaps,  of    a   man   haifh, 
active,  and  filled  with  proje6ls.) 

III.  Trea- 


I.AVAT£r'«    PHYSIOGNOMY.  221 


III. 


Treatise  on  Phyionomies  and  Complexions.     A  Work. 
IN  German,  by  an  anonymous  Author. 

*  A  £orchea.d  round  and  elevated  3.nnoimces  frankneis,  gaiety,  a 
■*  good  heart:,  and   underiianding.    Smooth^  fleek,   and    without 

*  wrinkles,  it  prognofticates  a  character  peevifli,  deceitful,  but 

*  not  over-llocked  with  fenfe.  (!!!)  A  y;??;^//  forehead  conceals  a 

*  niind  fimple,  choleric,  cruel,  and  ambitious.     B.oitnd,  protube- 

*  rant  at  the  angles,  and  without  hair,  it  denotes  found  reafon, 
'  and  a  propenfity  to  great  undertakings,  fuch  as  are  productive 

*  of  glory  or  profit.     Pointed  toward  the  temples,  it  fuppofes  a 

*  a  man  wicked,  fimple,  and  Inconllant.  FleJJjy  in  the  fame  part, 
^  a  man  arrogant,  headfirong  and  grofs.     A  forehead  ivr'mhled, 

*  and  hollowed  in  the  middle,  prefages  a  mind  contracted,  and 
^  infolent,  and  reverfes  of  fortune.   When  it  is  equally  bulky  on  all 

*  Jidesy  round  and  bald,  it  is  the  mark  of  a  mind  fertile  in  fallies 

*  and  trick,  of  a  decided  propenfity  to  pride,  to  choler,  and  falfe- 
'<  hood.  Lengthened,  elevated,  globular,  and  accompanied  'with  a 
<  pointed  chin,  it  denotes  a  being  fimple,  feeble,  and  oppofed  by 

*  fortune.'  (How  is  it  poilible  to  adopt  propolitions  fo  vague 
and  fo  precipitate  I) 


lY. 


The  Palace  of  Fortune.     Lyons  1562 

*  The  forehead,  rounded  into  a   great  elevation,  denotes   a 

*  man  liberal  and  joyous,  of  good  underitanding,  tradable,  and 
^  adorned  with  many  graces  and  virtues. 

<  The  forehead  full  and  fmooth,  and  which  ha«  no  wrinkles, 

*  denotes  a  man  to  be  litigious,  vain,  fallacioys,'  (this  Is  abfolute- 

*  lyfalfe)  and  more  fimple  than  wifc.' 

B  4  *  The 


22  2  lavater's  physiognsmV. 

*  The  perfon  whofe  forehead  is  fmall  on  ail  fides,  fignifies  a 
^  man  fim^e,  eafily  enraged,  fond  of  fine  things,  and  curious.' 
See  above,; 

*  He   who  is  very  round  about    the  angles  of  the   temples, 

*  fo  that  the  bones  almoft  appear,  and  deftitute  of  hair,  is  a  good- 

*  natured  man,  and  of  a  dull  intelledl,  audacious,  and  fond  of 
'  things  beautiful,  proper,  and  honourable.'  (Thefe  obfervation's 
are  not  perfedly  conformable  to  mine  j  befides,  they  need  to  be 
more  clearly  unfolded,  and  fupported  by  accurate  drawings.) 

*  Perfons  whofe  forehead  is  pointed  about  the  angles  of  the 

*  temples,  as  if  the  bones  were  burfting  out,  may  be  confidered  as 

*  vain  and  unlleady  in  all  things,  weak  and  fimple,  and  of  a  flen- 

*  der  capacity,'     (I  am  pofitively  affured  of  the  contrary.) 

*  TThofe  whofe  forehead  is  broad  are  eafily  driven  from  their  re- 

*  folutions,  and  if  it  is  Hill  broader,  they  are  fooHfli  and  defedive 

*  in  point  of  difcretion.'     (My  experience  fays  nothing  of  all 
this.) 

*  Thofe  who  have  it  fmall  and  narrow  are  voracious  and  indo- 

*  cile,  filthy  as  fwine.         '  / 

*  Thofe  who  have  it  tolerably  long,  pofTefs  good  fenfe,  and  are 

*  teachable,  but  are  by  no  mean?  vehement.'  (A  palpable  mif-' 
take.) 


¥, 


Joannes  ab  Indigane. 

^  A  broad  and  a  round  forehead  have  a  very  different  fignifica- 
'  tion.  One  circularly  elevated  is  commended  by  fome  perfons  ; 
*  efpeciaily  if  it  be  well-proportoned  to  the  head.  But  if  that 
^^  rotundity  occupy  the  prominences  of  the  temples,  and  if  it  be 

*  from 


xavater's  physiognomy.  223 

•«  from  that  part  bald,  it  Indicates  fuperiorlty  of  underflanding, 

*  thirft  of  honour,  arrogance,  and  the  qualities  which  accompany 
,  magnanimity. 

<  Skin  fmooth  and  fleek,  unlefs  betwixt  the  upper  furface  of 

*  the  nofe,  denotes  a  man  profane,    fallacious,  and  pafiionate.' 
(See  above. 

*  Puckered  and  contradled  into  wrinkles,  with  fomething  of  a 

*  declivity  in  the  middle,  while  it  indicates  two  mofl;  excellent 

*  qualities,  namely,  magnanimity  and  genius,  denotes  alfo  one  of 

*  the  wOrft,  cruelty.'     (This  indeterminate  affertion  is  but  half 
true  at  moft.) 

*  Very  large,  round,  without  hair,  a  man  bold  and  deceitful.* 
(In  this  there  13  more  faliehood  than  truth.) 

*  Oblong,  with  an  oblong  face,  and  fmall  chin,  cruelty  and 
^  tyranny.'  (Forms  of  this  fort  ufually  denote  great  vivacity, 
when  the  contours  are  at  the  fame  time  llrongly  marked  ;  other- 
wife  they  are  almoft  always  infeparable  from  a  cowardly  and  ti« 
Eiorous  charadler.) 

'  Bloated  and  fwelled  with  exceffive  flabbinefs  of  countenance, 
*  a  perfon  unlleady,  phlegmatic,  ftupid,  dull.' 


vr. 


Natural  Physiognomy.     Lyons,  1549. 

*  A  narrow  forehead  denotes  a  man  indocile,  llovenly,  vora- 

*  cious,  and  a  glutton  :  he  is   like   a  hog.    Thofe  who  have  a 

*  forehead  very  broad,  and  of  great  extent,  are  indolent  with  ref- 

*  pe6l  to  all  their  mental  powers.     Thofe  who  have  a  longifii 

*  forehead  are   more  eiHmable,  they   eafily  learn,   are   gentle, 

*  affable,  and  courteous.    A  fmall   forehead   is  the  fign    of  an 

*  efteminate  being.  A  forehead  cuived,  high,  and  round,  denotes 


224  lavater's  physiognomy* 

*  a  man  filly  and  foolifh.  A  fquare  forehead  of  moderate  fize,  in 
«  in  harmony  and  proportion  with  the  reft  of  the  face  and  with 
«  the   body,  is  the  fign  of  great  virtue,  wifdom,  fortitude,  and 

*  courage.  Thofe  who  have  a  flat  forehead,  and  all  of  a  piece, 
«  attribut-e  much  to  their  honour,  v/ithout  having  merited.it/ 

*  Thofe  whofe  forehead  is  as  it  were  covered  with  the  head,  are 

*  arrogant  and  haughty,  and  not  fit  to  live  in  fociety. 

*  Thofe  who  have  a  forehead  pinched  and  conflridled  In  the 
■*  middle,  quickly  take  fire,  and  for  trifles. 

*  Thofe  whofe  forehead  is  wrinkled  and  plaited  in  the  upper 

*  part,  and  at  the  fame  time  retreating  and  indented  at  the  root 

*  of  the  nofe,  are  penfive. 

*  Thofe  who  have  the  fliin  of  the  forehead  loofe  e:;^ tended  and 

*  pliant,  are  gracious,  pleafant,  and  courteous  ;  they  are,  never- 

*  thelefs,  dangerous  and  mifchievous.    They  may  be  compared  to 

*  fawning  and  v/heedling  dogs, 

*  Thofe  who  have  a  rough  uneven  forehead,  with  knobs  and 
«  cavities,  are  cunning,  cautious,  fickle,  unlefs  they  are  fools  or 

*  mad. 

*  Thofe  who'have  the  forehead  extended  and  bent,  are  carekfs 

*  and  confident.' 

{  I  have  befides  confulted  Bartholomal  CcpJitls  Chiromanti£  ac 
Thyf.ognomia  Anajiafis,  cum  approhatlone  Magljlri  Alexandri  Ach'iU 
linis.  He  fays  nearly  the  fame  thing  in  other  terms  ;  and  this  Is 
likewlfe  the  cafe  with  Porta.  Therefore,  not  to  multiply  quota^ 
tions,  I  pafsthefe  two  authors  in  filence.) 


rn.  Philip 


tA  V  AJER's   PH  YSIOGNOMY,  225 


vir. 
Philip  Mai,  in  His"'MEDiciNAL  Physiognomy,  which  may, 

WITH  GREAT  PROPRIETY,  BE  CALLED  A  TrEATISE  ON  ChI» 
ROMANCY.AND  MetOPOSCOPY. 

^  The  forehead  from  where  the  nofe  begins,  to  the  hair,  is  the 
^  length  of  the  firft  finger,  called  the  Index  ;  and  when  the  fore- 

*  head    Is   as  broad  at   the  middle   and  end   as  at  the  begino 
^  ning.  It  is  a  very  prpmlfmg  fign  refpedling  health,  fortune,  and 

*  underftanding.* 


yiii. 


GULIfiLMUS   GrATOLORUS, 

^  Thofe  who  havie  a  great  forehead  are  dull  j  they  may  be  com- 
^  pared  to  oxen. 

«  If  fmall  it  betokens  ficklenefs, 

*  Thofe  who  have  a  broad  forehead  are  eafily  roufed  :  if  very 

*  broad,  they  are  foollfh,  of  little  difcernment,  and  of  an  inflexl- 
^  ble  difpofition, 

*  If  round,  they  are,  paflionate,  efpeclally  if  It  is  promptuary, 
f  and  infenfible  :  refer  them  to  the  afs  fpecles. 

*  Thofe  who  have  a  fmall  and  narrow  forehead  are  llupid,  indo- 
^  die,  flovenly,  voracious  :  rank  them  with  fwine.  If  oblong, 
^  they  have  the  powers  of  fenfe  In  perfeftlon,  and  are  docile,  but 

*  fomewhat  violent :  they  are  of  the  canine  order.     If  fquare,  of 

*  moderate  fize,  well  proportioned  to  the  head  ;  fuch  perfons  are 
^  virtuous,  wife,  magnanimous  :  clafs  them  with  lions. 

*  Thofe  whofe  forehead  is  fmooth  and  continuous,  without 
^  wrinkles,  are  inflexible  and  infenfible,  contemptuous,  and  ex- 

*  ceflivelr 


226  lavater's    physiognomy. 


t 


ceffively  irafclble  ;  that  is,  referable  to  the  clafs  of  the  pertina- 
cious, obilinate,  and  litis^ioua. 


*  He  who  purfes  together  the  middle  of  his  forehead  at  the 

*  fame  time  with  his  eyebrows,  is  given  to  filthy  lucre. 

'  They  with  whom  it  is  expanded,  are  flatterers  :  refer  them  to 

*  the  clafs  of  paffive  beings  :  and  an  expanded  forehead  is  fmooth, 

*  being,  as  it  were,  over-ftretched.    It  is  likev/ife  called  a  colledt- 

*  ed.forehead  ;  that  is,  tenfe  and  calm  ;  as  it  appears  in  fawning 

*  dogs  and  men. 

*  They  who  have  a  cloudy  forehead  are  bold  and  terrible  : 

*  clafs  them  with  bulls  and  lions. 

*  A  forehead  coming  to  fomething  of  a  peak,  and  containing 

*  certain  cavities,  is  the  indication  of  cunning  and  perfidy.     An 

*  intermediate  flrudure  of  forehead  is  in  becoming  harmony,  and 
^  promifes  well. 

*  They  who  have  a  gloomy  forehead  are  difpofed  to  forrow,  and 

*  are  to  be  claiTed  with  the  paffive.     Downcaft  and  dark,,  it  dif- 

*  pofes  to  loud  lamentation  :  clafs  fuch  with  peacocks. 

*  A  large  forehead  is  alwavs  connefted  with  groffnefs  of  flefh, 
'  and  a  fmall  one,  on  the  contrary,  with  flendernefs. 

*  A  fmall  forehead  and  thinnefs  of  flcin  denote  fubtile  and  briilc 

*  fpirits  ;    and     inverfely.     Now   fpirit    is     a   fubtile  fubftance, 

*  produced  from  the  vapours  of  the  blood  :  and  fpirit  is  the  con- 

*  veyer  of  mental  good  qualities  into   the  proper  organs  ;  and 

*  therefore,  where  there  is  groifnefs  of  humours,  genius  cannot 
<  poffibly  fubfift. 

*  A  forehead  too  wrinkled  is  the  fign  of  impudence,  and  wrin- 

*  kles  are  occafioned  by  exceffive  m.oifture  ;  though  fometimes, 

*  likewife,  from  di"ynefs  ;  and,   if  they  do   not  overfpread  the 
'  whole  forehead,  they  proclaim  haftinefs  and  irafcibility  :  fuch 

*  pcrfons  retain  angerand  hatred  without  caufe,  and  are  litigious. 

*  They 


LA  VATER's    ?  HYSIOGNOM  Y.  22  J 

*  They  who  have  a  fhort  forehead,  compreffed  temples  and  jaw- 

*  bones,  with  the  mufcles  of  the  jaws  large  and  relaxed,  con- 

*  tra6l  wens.    If  it  Is  tenfe  and  fiilning,  the  poffeffor  is  fawning 

*  and  deceitful. 

*  A  forehead  wrinkled  lengthwife,  efpecially  about  the  root  of 

*  the  nofe,  indicates  melancholy  reliedlions. 

*  A  forehead  lax,  diffufe,  or  rugged,  hollow  in  the  middle,  with 

*  an  isndiflarbed  tranquillity  of  dun,  denotes  craft  and  avarice, 

*  and,  perhaps,  exceffive  ignorance. 

*  A  forehead  very  much  diftorted  indicates  dulkefs  andllupidi- 
<  dity.    He  who  has,  as  it  were  a  cloud  in  a  furrow  of  the  fore- 

*  head,  or  fomething  like  a  ilridure  In  the  middle,  may  be  fet 

*  down  as  paffionate  :  let  him  rank  with  the  bull  or  lion. 

*  A  downcaft  lowering  forehead  denotes  fadnefs,  anger,  de- 

*  je£lion.  ' 

*  A  forehead  high,  broad,  long,  betokens  Increafe  of  wealth. 

*  A  low  forehead  belongs  not  to  a  man. 

*  A  forehead  inflated,  as  it  were  about  the  temples  with  groITnefs 

*  of  flefh,  and  with  ftefhy  jaws,  indicates  a  high  fpirit,  anger, 

*  pride,  and  ftupidlty. 

*  A  curved  forehtad,  and,  at  the  fame  time  high,  and  round,  is 

*  the  Indication  of  dullnefs  and  impudence.' 

(Allthefe  propofitions  are  fo  vague,  and  fa  clearly  contradicled 
by  daily  experience,  this  decifive  and  preremptory  tone  conduds 
fo  eafily  to  unjull  or  fevere  judgments,  that  it  is  no  wonder  phy- 
fiognomy,  treated  in  fuch  a  manner,  fhould  have  fallen  into  difre- 
pute.  Ad^to  this,  that  mod  of  thole  who  have  pretended  to  deal 
in  this  fcience  were  aftrologers  and  fortunetellers,  ignorant  enough 
to  place  metapofcopy  and  chiromancy  on  a  level  with  empirical 
phyfiognomy,  properly  fo  called  5  nay,  to  give  them  the  prefer- 
ence : — aad  it  may  readily  be  conceived  how  good  fenfe  mufl  re- 
volt 


22S  tAVAtEH's     PHYSlOGNOMlr. 

volt  agamflfuch  writings.  As  to  the  apparent  refemblance  wKicli 
they  pretend  to  difcover  between  men  and  animals,  and  to  which 
the  ancient  phyfionomiflis  fo  frequently  have  recourfe,  it  ought  to 
have  been  demonftrated,  or  at  leaft  indicated,  with  greater  preci- 
iion.  In  vain  have  I,  for  example,  fought  for  this  pretended  re- 
femblance in  foreheads  :  no  where  do  I  difcover  it  ;  and  even 
when  thiC: form  may  fometimes  prefent  a  fpecies  of  approximation, 
this  is  prefently  effaced  by  the  difference  of  pofit'ion^  which  they 
almoft  always  negleded  to  fludy.  The  opinion  of  the  ancients, 
therefore,  was  entirely  erroneous,  and  they  ought  to  have  eftab- 
lifhed  their  induftions  on  the  difiimlitude  which  refults  from  re- 
lations fo  remote.) 


IX. 


Claramontius  on  Conjecture  respecting  Man's  Moral 
Character  and  Secret  Affections  ;  in  Ten  Books, 
Helmstadt,  1665. 

*  A  fq^uare  form  of  forehead  is  the  fign  of  fuperior  talents  and 

*  found  judgment ;  for  it  arifes  from  the  natural  figure  of  the 

*  head,  in  the  anterior  part  of  which  judgment  carries  on  its  ope- 

*  rations.   It  likewlfe  contributes  to  the  knowledge  and  prudent 

*  conduct  of  affairs,   and  difpofes   their  judicious  arrangement, 

*  Many  illuflrioiis  perfons  have  been  diilinguifhed  by  this  form 

*  of  forehead. 

«  If  forms  of  head,  called  by  Galen  non-natural,  always  impli- 

*  ed  defed  of  judgment  and  genius,  foreheads  likewife    reced- 

*  i-Dg  from  the  fquare  would  indicate  a  defeat  of  the  fame  facul- 

*  ties.  But  as  thefe  figures  are  not  necefiarily  a  proof  of  fuch  de- 

*  hdc,  neither  is  a  deviation  from  the  fquare  forehead  a  certain 

*  Indication  of  a  depraved  judgment,  or  of  a  mind  indifpofed  to 

*  knowledge.     Phyfionomifts,  however,  form  conjeftures  from 
.*  the  fimilltude  of  animals,  that  rotundity  of  forehead — for  ex- 

«  ample,  from  the  hair  to  the  eyes — indicates  ftupidity,  becaufe 

<  this 


lavater's    physiognomt.  529 

*  this  is  the  form  of  the  afs's  forehead.     But  rotundity  from  one 

*  of  the  temples  to  the  other,  they  call  the  fign  of  anger. 

*  The  human  forehead  is  grreat,  even  when  confined  within  the 

*  mediocrity  of  the  common  ftandard  ;  and  magnitude  of  this  kind 

*  contributes  to  clear  and  dillinil  knowledge.  And  the  reafon  is. 

*  that  a  purer  blood  is  requifite  to  luch  knowledge  ;  fuch  asis  not 

*  of  too  hot  a  quality.  Wherefore  knowledge  is  conco£led  in  the 

*  brain,  even   if  its   principle   be    the  heart.     But   a   large  or 

*  expanded  forehead  renders  the  humours  and  fpirics,  which  flow 
'  into  the  anterior  part  of  the  brain,  more  cool,  and  thereby  con- 

*  tributes  to  diftin<ftnefs,  and  a  clearer  apprehennon. 

*  But  if  magnitude   of  forehead   is  carried  to   excefs,  thef? 

*  fame  fpirits  are  cooled  more  than  is  fit.    Hence  ilownefs  of  ap- 

*  prehenfion,  of  judgment,  in  conduft.    Ariilotle  claffes  fuch  per- 
^  fons  with  oxen.    But  if  the  forehead  be  fmall,  the  fpirits  from 

*  the  covering  of  hair,  and  the  humours  in  the  anterior  region, 

*  are  lefs  cooled  than  is  requifite  ;  but  heat  occafions  too  quick  a 

*  decifion,  and,  by  the  agitation,  intercepts  and  reftrains  purity 

*  of  perception  and  judging.    The  philofopher,  in  his  phyfiogno- 

*  mies,   ranks  fuch  with  fwinc.    In  his  Hiilory  of  Animals   he- 

*  calls  them  fickle  ;  and  the  afiertion  applies  on  account  of  the 
*  faulty  promptitude  with^  which  they  form  their  opinions. 

*  in  the  winding  of  the  hair  from  the  forhead  to  the  temples- 

*  either  an  angle,  and  that  a  very  coRipiciious  one,  is  formed  ; 

*  or  one  lefs  remarkable  ;  or  a  curve  without  angles.     This  ar- 

*  rangement  of  the  hair  we  find  in  Philip,  duke  of  Burgundy,  if 

*  his  portrait  be  exaC^.    Ferrantcs  Gonzago,  Profper  Coljumnius;, 

*  and,  laftly,  Henry  IV.  king  of  France,  had  eminently  confpi- 
'  cuous  angles  ;  and  of  civil  and  literary  characters,  within   my 

*  own  memory,  Jacobus   Arabella,  and  my  father  Claramontius. 

*  Angles  of  this  fort,  unlefs  they  are  enormous,  indicate  judg- 

*  ment  :  for  the  bone  of  the  fcuil  is  thinner  in  that  part  than 
'  that  part  of ,  the  forehead,  and  therefore,  when  it  is  uncovered, 

*  the  fpirits  of  the  anterior  ventricles-  are  more  expofed  to  cold,. 

*  and  being  thereby  rendered  purer,  produce  a  founder  judgment. 

«  Thofe 


2 jo  LAVATEE.  S     PHYSIOGNOMY. 

*  Thofe  who  have'  a  wrinkled  forehead  are  thou2:htful  i  £^f 

*  while  we   are  thinking  we  contra<?l:  it  into  wrinkles  :  whfn 

*  gloomy  it  denotes  fadnefs  ;  when  cloudy,  boldnefs  ;  when  ilernj- 

*  feverity.     A   lowering  forehead   denotes    loud  lamentation  ; 

*  fmooth,  it  betokens  cheerfuluefs  :  hence  that  expreflion  of  the 

*  comic  Poet — Expornge  frontem — expand  your  forehead  ;  that 

*  is,  look  cheerfully.     When  wrinkles  extend  in  a  perpendicular 

*  direction,  and  not  lengthwife,  they  denote  a  propenfity  to  an- 

*  ger;  for  under  the  influence   of  this  paiiion   the  forehead  is 

*  thus  contracted  and  wrinkled-    Polaemc,  in  his  figure  of  a  fur- 
'  ly  man,  beftowes  wrinkles  on  him, 

*  A  rough  forehead,  in  the  firfl  place  denotes  impudence  ;  zn& 

*  if  it  is  likewife  of  a  large  fize,  it  is  an  indication  even  of  fero- 

*  city  :  for  nature  has  afiigned  to  the  human  foul,  in  virtue  of  its 

*  fuperior  dignity,  a  much  more  ample  dominion  over  the  body 

*  thati  to  the  foul  of  brutes.     The  perceptions  of  the  mind  ^c- 

*  cordingly  fliine  out  in  the  face,  efpecially  in  the  eyes  and  fore- 

*  head.    Now  if  fuch  be  the  hardnefs  of  the  lltin,  and  of  the  flefh 

*  under  it,  that  it  affords  not  a  free  pafFage  to  this  emaiiation-of 

*  foul,  or  only  in  a  very  inferior  degree,  it  is  a  fign  of  impudence, 

*  to  which  we  afcribe  a  iiard  and  brazen  forehead  :  hence  the  ex- 

<  prefiion — That  is  not  a  forehead  of  yourG?  it  is  impenetrable  as  a 

*  plate  of  hardeit  Heel.     But  if  they  afford  no  paffage  whatever 

<  there  feems   to  be   a  tranfition,  if  I   may  ufe  the  expreflion, 

*  from  human  tranfparency  to  brutal  grofi'nefs,  and  the  terrene  im- 

*  purity  of  the  beails.     Polsematoo  affigns  a  rugged  forehead  to 

*  a  man  of  a  ferocious  charafter.  But  I(conjoin  hardnefs  with  rag- 
-  gednefs  ;  as  hardnefs  of  llcin  does  not  feem  to  be  freed  from 

*  impurity,    and,   of    courfe,  from    that   laequality,  which,    in 

*  conjunftion  with  hardnefs,  produces  afperity.     Adamantius'af- 

*  cribes  it  to  a  crafty?  fometimesto  a  furious,,  perfon. 

*  An  uneven  forehead?  exhibiting  knobs  and  hollows.  leads  to 

*  fufpecl:  a  man  of  impofture  and  fraud.     So  fays  Adamantius» 

*  The  reafon  is,  that  this  inequality  Is  not  to  be  imputed  to  the 

<  bone  of  the  forehead,  but  feems  to  proceed  from  the  gathering 

*  together  of  the  mufclesj  in  which  likewife  their  ftrength  con- 

«  fids. 


LAYATEr's     physiognomy.  121 


J 


fifts.  Now  the  mufcles  of  the  forehe'dd  have  this  faculty,  that 
they  can  diverfify  the  figure  of  it  at  pleafure,  by  fometimes 
contrading  fmoothing  it.  But  to  vary  the  forehead  at  pleafure 
is  the  chara^leriftlc  of  a  crafty  perfon.  As  this  fign  Imitates  a 
certain  inftind,  it  may  be  confidered  as  the  fingularity  of  a 
remarkable  forehead.' 


Pe  u  s  c  h  e  l, 

T^ranjlated from  the  German^ 

*  The  length  of  the  forehead  extends  from  one  of  the  temples 

*  to  the  other,  and  ufually  occupys  a  fpace  of  about  nine  times 

*  the  breadth  of  the  thumb.     The  forehead,  confidered  in  its 

*  breadth,  is  divided  into  three  equal  parts,  which,  in  order  to  an- 

*  nounce  a  man  judicious,  and  happily  organized,  ought  to  be  de- 

*  licately  arched  in   relief,  without  flattening  or  fmking.     The 

*  firft  of  thefe  parts  is  the  indication  of  memory ;  the  feconddif- 

*  clofes  llrength  of  judgment  ;  and  the  third,  richnefs  of  genius.' 
(We  fhall  fpeak  in  one  of  the  following  Le6lures  of  the  figns  of 
memory.) 

'  A  forehead  quite  round  is  no  imputation  on  either  memoiy  or 

*  genius  ;  but  if  the  middle  divifion  is  the  m^ofl  fpacious  and  the 
'  mod  prominent,  you  have  the  diftin6live  character  of  a  fuperior 

*  judgment.     On  the  contrary,  if  the  upper  feftion  is  more  pro- 

*  minent  than  the  under,  m.emory  is  the  moll  predominant  of  the 

*  iutelleftual  faculties.     Finally,  if  the  lower  fedlion  has  moft  ex- 

*  tent  and  elevation,  genius  has  the  afcendant, 

*  I .  A  well proJ)oriwned  ?oTthQB.(\i  In  all  its  dimenfions  of  length 

*  and  of  breadth,  and  not  too  flefliy,  denotes  much  aptitude  and 

*  capacity  for  every  thing. 

Vol.  III.  Q^  <  2.  A  for?- 


232  LAVATEP-'s     PHYSIOGNOMY. 

*  2  .A  forehead  of  an  excejjlveji%e  announces  a  man  flow  of  con* 

*  ception,  but   who  retains  fo  much  the  more  tenacioufly  what 

*  he  has  acquired.    Dull  and  fluggifii  in  forming  his  ideas  he  will 

*  find  equally  difficulty,  and  feel  equal  relu6tance,  in  executing 

'■  them, 

«  3.  A  forehead  too  hroad  indicates  a  man  choleric,  proud,  vain, 

*  and  bluilering. 

*  4.  A  forehead  which  exceeds  the  itfiial  dimenjion  in  length  and 
«  breadth,   and  which  at  the  fam.e  time  rifes   to  an  uncommon 

*  height,  may  be  claiTed  with  No.  2. 

*  5.  h.  fquare  forehead,'  (I  fcarcely  have  temper  to  tranfcribe 
fuch  nonlenfe)  *  which  prefents  diftindtly  the  feven  planetary  lines 

*  received  in  metapofcopy,  gives  affurance  of  a  mind  judicious, 

*  brave  and  tiadlable. 

*  6.  A  forehead^^ori?  and  narrow  is  the  lign  of  a  very  contrad- 

*  ed  underilanding. 

«  7.  A  forehead  quite  ?-ound  conveys  the  idea  of  a  man  choleric, 
'  haughty,  impetuous*  and  vindi6tive. 

*  8.  With  a  forehead  too  large  there  is  a  propenfity  to  pride  ; 

*  and  with  one  toofmally  a  difpofition  to  anger  and  avarice. 

*  9.  There  are  foreheads  altogether  immoveabkt  the  jQvin  of  which 

*  is  incapable  of  folds,  unlefs   the  eyelids  are  compreffed  or  ex- 

*  tended  with  a  violent  effort.     But  there  are  likewife  perfons 
•■  who  keep  their  eyes  continually  in  a  downcall  pofition,  and  for 

*  that  reafon,  have  always  the  air  of  {lumbering.    A  look  of  this 

*  kind  contributes  to  the  immoveablenefs  of  the  forehead,  and 

*  you  will  remark  in  thofe  v^^ho  have  contracted  it,  an  invincible 
<  carelefTnefs  and  indifference.     The  real  caufc  of  the  unmovca- 

*  blenefs  of  their  forehead  muff  be  fought  for  in  their  natural  in- 

*  dolence.     By  long  habit,  and  want  of  exercife,  the  llcin  lofes 

*  gradually. 


lavater's    physiognomy.  133 

*  gradually,  and  to  a  certain  degree,  its  flexibility,  efpecially  if 

*  the  forehead  is  flefhy. 

*   lO.  A  forehead y««y^  in  the  middle  characterizes  avarice.'— 
(Patience  at  length  fails  me.     Such  are  the  rafh  decllions  which 
have  fo  irreparably  injured  the  caufe  of  humanity  and  of  phyfiog- 
nomy.     Avarice  is  a  paflion  fo  very  complicated,  it  fo  much  de- 
pends on  our  fituation,  our  education,  and  an  infinite  number  of 
accefTory  circumllances,  that,  in  my  opinion,  it  would  be  extreme- 
ly imprudent  to  maintain  that  fuch  a  form  of  forehead  is  a  fign  of 
avarice,  in  the  fame  fenfe  in  which  it  is  faid  of  fuch  another  fore- 
head that  it  indicites  a  chara6ler  judicious  and  good>  of  much 
fenfibllity  or  harihnefs,  bold  or  timid,  gentle  or  violent.     There 
are  foreheads,  however,  which  bear  the  imprefs  of  a  decided  pro- 
penlity  to  avarice,  and  the  llighteft  conjuncture  would  be,  perhaps 
fufficient  to^  determine  this  propeniity.     The  mifer  imagines  he 
has  wants  which  he  really  has  not  ;  he  finds  in  himfeif  neither 
energy  nor  refources  equal  to  the  fupply  of  thefe  wants,  and,  con- 
fequently,  feels  himfeif  under  the  neeeffity  of  having  recourfe  to 
means  which  he  feels  he  does  not  poffefs.     The  choice  of  thefe 
means  colls   him  much  pain  and  trouble  ;  and,  abforbed  in  the 
meansf  he  lofes  fight  of  the  end  to  which  they  ought  to  lead,  and 
gives  them  the  preference.     Avarice  accordingly  has  its  root  in 
imagination  continually  creating  wants  to  itfelf,  and  which  finds 
not  at  home  fufficient  power  and  energy  to  overcome  or  to  fatisfy 
them.    In  conformity  to  thefe  data  I  affix  the  term  mifer  to  the 
perfon  who  is  tormented  by  cravings  which  he  is  incapable  of  gra- 
tifying ;  and  this  definition  proves  that  avarice  is  the  paffion  of 
little  fouls  ;  that  it  suppofes  a  want  of  energy,  or  unconfcioufnefs 
of  pofieffing  it.      The  man  ivho  pojfe/fes  ftifficient  Jlrength  in  himfeJj\ 
has  no   occafwn  to  look  abroad  for  fupport.     The   moft   powerful 
among  men  was  alfo  the  moft  generous  and  the  mod  noble  :   no 
one  ever  v/as  more  exempt  from  avarice,  he  had  everything  with- 
in himfeif  and  nothing  without  ;  but  he  was  fo  powerful  of  him- 
feif that  he  reduced  all  into  fubjefhion,  as  his  exclufive  property, 
and  impreffed  on  all  the  feal  of  his  fupreme  power.     On  rifing  up 
to  God  himfeif,  we  fiiould  find  the  moll  difinterelled  of  all  beings, 
becaufe  He  is  felf-fufficient,  and  poffeiTes  all  things. 

Q_2  Hen 


134  ^avater's  physiognomy. 

Hence  it  is  eafy  to  fettle  the  general  figns  which  diilingulfl?. 
d'lfmtsrsjiedmfs  from  amarice.  An  internal  fores,  capable  of  fubdu- 
ing  thofe  wants  which  attempt  to  enflave  us — this  is  what  confti- 
tutes  a  c^?X2.Qitx generous  and  difinterejled.  The  wantof  fuch  inter- 
nal force,  or  a  fenfe  of  deficiency  in  refped:  of  this  energy,  renders 
a  man  pufManimQus,  and  a  m'lfer.     At  the  fame  tiine   this  deter- 
midate  quantit}'-  of  energy,  or  want  of  energy,  may  take  direc- 
tion   entirely   different,   and   does   not  always  degenerate  into 
avarice.     "With  the  fame  degree  of  force  or  feeblenefs,  fuch  an 
individual,  placed  in  a  fortunate  fituation,  favoured  by  education 
and  circumftances,    will  piirfue  a  track  entirely  oppofitc,  will 
create  to  himfelf  other  wants,  and  v/ill  fubmit  to  the  dominion  of 
analogous  paffions,  which  may,  perhaps,  turn  out  as  much  to  his 
honour  as  avarice,  properly  fo  called,  would  have  difgraced  him  : 
he  will  become  avaricious  of  time,  coiyetuons  of  great  aSilonSy  jealous 
of  the  honour  of  doing  good  ;  but  his  ruling  paiiion  will  ever  be 
limited  to  the  objedl  which  occupys  him  in   preference,   and  he 
win  puifue  it  with  a  reftlefs  a6livity.     Now  that  a  chara6ler  thus 
determinate  fhould  have,  as  a  neceffary  attribute,  a  forehead  funk 
in  the  middle,  is  an  opinion  which  cannot  be  adopted  upon  induc- 
tio;.b  the  cioft  pofitive.  From  this  one  example  we  fee  how  unwar- 
rantable it  is  to  tarnifli  a  man's  reputation  upon  a  lingle  and  an 
arbitrary  fign,  efpecially  if  that  fign  is  taken  from  the  folid  parts. 
This,  however,  was  the  ufual  method  of  the  ancients,  and  of  fuch 
of  th£  moderns  as  have  traced  their  footfteps.     The  philofophi- 
cal  phyfionomia:  go.es  very  differently  to  work  ;  he  applies  himfelf 
to  the  folution  of  the  firft  general  caufes  of  the  pafHons  to  fix 
the  degree  and  the  hmd  of  adlvlty  and  pa/fblUty.  of  which  every 
ilidividual  is  fufceptible.     He  never  forgets  that  the  general  m.afs 
of  our  energy,  that  the  pofitive  fum  of  the  fentiments  and  powers 
intrufted  to  us,  invariably  rcndes  in  the  folid  parts  of  the  face, 
and  that  the  voluntary  and  arbitrary  ufe  which  we  make  of  thofe 
powers  unfolds  itfelf  in  the  moveable  parts.     The  bony  fyftem 
fhews  n^^m2ii\  fuch  as  he  is  capable  of  being  /  the  foft  parts  difcover 
ivhatheis — and,  if  we  poiTcired  the  means  of  examining  them  in 
a  itate  of  perfect    calmnefs  and  exemption   from   pafiion,  they 
would  difclofe    even  the  moil  latent  difpofitionsc— But  let    us 
YtVdm  to  Peufchel,  who  with  all  his  faults,  is  nevertheiefs  an  ori- 
ginal 


lavater's  physiognomy.  1^^ 

ginal  obferverj  of  much  greater  exa^nefs  than  mod  of  his  prede- 
decefTors.) 

*  II.  A  forehead  quite fmooth,  without  gatherings  or  wrinkles, 
'  and  whole  fhining  fkin  feems  glued  to  the  bone,  denotes  a  man 

*  fanguine,  ardent,  fond  of  drefs  and  gallantry.'  (I  have  found 
foreheads  of  this  defcription  in  perfons  the  mod  modeft  and 
phlegmatic.) 

*  12,  A  forehead  whofe  furface  is  fmooth,  and  ivrlnkled  only 

*  toward  the  under  part,  above  the  nofe,  prognoixicates  a  man  cho- 

*  leric,  deceitful,  perfidious,  and  wicked.  He  will  be  either  me- 
>*  lancholic-fanguine,  or  fanguine^melanchiic'  (This  is  partly 
vague,  partly  falfe.) 

*  13.  A  hairy  forehead  fuppofes,  in  general,  a  conception,  exr 
^  ceflively  flow,  and  when,  beiides,  the  lines  of  the  forehead  are 

*  interrupted  and  cut  fhort,  they  announce  a  propenfity  to  liber- 

*  tinifm  and  cozening  ;  they  even  fometimes  become  the  prefTage 
«  of  a  violent  death.'     (!!!) 

Let  me  terminate  this  cloud  of  quotation  with^ 


XI. 


Mr.  D£  Pernetty. 

*  The  beft  formed  head  being  not  exaclly  fpherical,  and  its 

*  convex  roundnefs  being  aifeded  by  the  flattening  or  depreflion 

*  of  the  temples,  the  roundnefs  of  the  forehead  is  not  exad  ; 
^  there  refults  from  it  a  form  which  it  has  been  thought  proper  to 

*  denominate  fquare  :  befldes,  the  forehead  is  not  exactly  convex 

*  from  the  root  of  the  ,nofe  up  to  the  hair.     We  call  that  around 

*  forehead  whofe  form  approaches  nearefl  to  convexity  whether 
'  from  the  nofe  to  the  root  of  the  hair,  or  from  the  one  temple  to 

*  the  other.     The  open  forehead  is  that  whofe  figure  approxi- 

*  mates  to  the  oblong  fquare,  with  a  convexity  which  makes  part 

(^  2  *  of 


1^6  lavater's   physiognomy^ 

*  of  the  circumference,  fomewhat  flattened,  or  a  great  circlcj 
^  proportionally  with    the  length  of  the  fquare.      This  is  hke- 

*  wife  what  they  call  a  noble  forehead,  when  the  lines  or  furrows 

*  do  not  disfigure  it  by  their  number,  by  their  depth,  and  by  their 

*  directions.     A  well  proportioned  forehead  is  that  which  is  equal 

*  to  the  third  part  of  the  length  of  the  face,  and  whofe  breadth, 
^  from  temple  to  temple,  is  double  the  height.  This  is  likewife 
<  called  a  largh  forehead.     If  it  has  lefs  heighth  or  breadth,  it  is  a 

*  fmall  forehead.  The  forehead  large,  fquare,  and  open  announces 

*  a  perfon  of  underftanding  and  good  fenfe,  of  quick  conception, 

*  and  capable  of  adviiing  well  ;  for  it  is  fuch  as  it  ought  to  be, 

*  having  the  bell ;  proportioned  form,  and  the  moil  adapted  to 
'  facilitate  the  funfiiions  of  the  foul.     We  obferve  this  form  of 

*  forehea,d  in  the  antiques  which  reprefent  Homer,  Plato,  and 

*  many  other  perfons  of  remote  antiquity.  We  likewife  find  it 
^  in  mofc  portraits  of  the  moderns  who  are  celebrated  for  genius  ; 

*  in  thofe  of  Newton,  Montefquieu,  and  fo  many  others.'  (So 
far  from  prefenting  this  open  forehead,  of  which  Mr.  de  Pernetty 
fpeaks,  the  antiques  which  reprefent  Homer  all  have  a'  furrowed 
forehead.  The  wrinkles  we  perceive  in  it  are  not  confufed,  I  ad- 
mit ;  on  the  contrary,  they  are  diitin6l,  regular,  and  fpacious  ; 
but  the  whol^  by  no  means  fuggefts  the  idea  of  an  open  and 
fquare  forehead.  I  find  it  ftilllefs  in  the  buftsof  Plato,  whofe  fore- 
head differs  eifentially  from  that  of  Homer.-  The  heads  of  Clarke, 
of  Addifon,  and  of  Steele,  may  be  ranked  with  thofe  which  arc 
mod  diilinguifhable  for  a  forehead  open^  but  not  fquare.  I  have 
generally  remarked  that  almoil  all  the  foreheads  of  the  celebrated 
chara6lers  of  England  are  admirably  arched  a-top.) 

*  Galen  calls  thofe  forms  of  forehead  non-natural  which  devl- 

*  ate  fi'om  the  fquare.     If  this  deviation  from  the  fquare  form  In- 

*  dicated  a  defect  in  the  underftanding  and  judgment,  it  might 

*  be  poiTible  to  conclude  from  It,  in  general,  this  defed  ;  but  this 

*  would  be  a  falfe  conclufion,  becaufe  this  fquare  form  of  forehead 
'  indicates,  in  truth, the  perfedllons  of  v/hichwehavefpoken,wIth- 
*  out,  however,  being  abfolutely  requifite,  and'without  excluding 

*  all  others.  Some  phyfionomifts  have  pretended,  notwithftand- 
f  ing,'  (aud  I  am  e«tirelj  of  their  opinion,)  '  that  a  too  fenfible 

I 


IAVATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  127 


:3  / 


*  convexity  of  forehead  taken  frotn  the  root  of  the  hair  to  the 

*  eyebrows,  is  a  fign  of  (lupidity  or  imbecihty,  and  that  this  con- 

*  vexity,  confidered  from  one  of  the  temples  to  the  other^  an- 

*  nounces  a  propenlity  to  anger.     Ariilotic  compares  them  to  the 

*  forehead  of  the  afs.'     (The  oppofite  forni  pf  forehead  inclines 
much  more  to  the  choleric  temperament.) 

*  If  the  fize  of  the  forehead  be  exceffive,  the  fpace  which  the 
^  fpirits  have  to  traverfc  is  too  vail  ;  thecoldnefs  of  the  brain  ex- 
^  tinguiihes  their  fire  and  activity  :  hence  the  man  becomes  flow 

*  of  GonceptioHj  and  this  is  communicated  to  all  his  determlna- 

*  tions  and  a(5lions.  This  is  the  forehead  of  the  ox.'  (The 
magnitude  of  the  forehead  alone  is  far  from  being  the  only  thing 
which  impreiTes  on  the  ox  his  chera6ler  of  ilupidity.  Were  this 
the  diftin£i:ive  charafter  of  ilupidity  the  elephant  would  be  of  all 
animals  the  mod  ftupid  ;  whereas  he  is,  in  truth,  the  mod  intelli- 
gent. The  air  and  charaQier  of  ilupidity,  afcribed  to  the  ox, 
proceed  from  the  form  and  poiition  of  his  forehead  :  a  flight  de- 
gree of  attention  will  be  fuiiipient  to  convince  you  of  it.) 

f  If  the  forehead  offends  from  exceflive  frnallnefs,  the  current 

*  of  the  fpirits  through  it  is  diilurbed  and  confounded  5  the  judg- 

*  ment  does  not  wait  to  compare  ideas  :  it  is  precipitate  and  de- 

*  fe<Slive.  Such  foreheads  are  a  kin  to  that  of  the  hog.  Ariftotle 
■*  fays  that  they  announce  inconilancy  and  iiidocility. 

*  The  concurrence  of  the  root  of  the  hair  with  the  upper  part 
^  of  the  temples  forms  a  feniible  angle  in  this  inflexion.     Some- 

*  tims  the  forehead  terminates  there  in  a  circular  form.     This  ap- 

*  pears  more  commionly  in  the  female  forehead,  where  the  hair 

*  rarely  terminates  in  a  decided  point  in  the  middle.     The  angle 

*  juil  mentioned  gives  to  the  forehead   the  fquare  form  ;  but  if 

*  this  angle  extend  too  far,  it  changes  the  form,  and  becomes  a 
«  defea. 

*  It  is  neceffary  to  diilingnlfh  betweenthe  narrow  and  contraft- 

*  ed,  and  the  low  forehead.  Tliis  lailymeans  a  forehead  on  which 

*  the  hair  defcends  too  far,  and  mars  its  natural  proportion  in  re  - 

*  fpedl  of  height,  which  is  the  third  part  of  the  face  ;  the  nofe 

Q  4  *  oc- 


13S  lavater's    PHYSIQGKOMY. 

*  occupying  tKe  fecond  ;  and  the  fpace  from  the  nofe  to  the 

*  point  of  the  chin,  the  third.     The  narrow  and  6ontra(5led  fore- 

*  head  is  when  the  hair  encroaches  too  far  from  the  temples  upon 

*  the  forehead,  and  diminifhes  its  requifite  breadth.     It  is  that  of 
'  the  hog  —To  the  fmall  forehead  is  afcribed  vivacity  of  temper,  a 

*  difpofition  to  prattle,  unfteadinefs,  and  a  rafh,    inconfiderate 

*  judgment ;  but  the  narrow  forehead  is  condemned  as  being  the 

*  indication  of  folly,  of  indocility,  of  gluttony,  &c.      The  an- 

*  cient  Remans  confidered  a  low  forehead,  when  not  exceflive,  as 
«  as  a  trait  of  beauty. 

*  Infignem  tenui  fronte  Lycorida 

*  Cyri  torret  amor.  Hor/ 

Winckleman  has  made  the  fame  remark,  which  certainly  \^'ell 
deferves  infertion.     Let  him  fpeak  for  himfelf. 


XII. 

*  The  forehead,  in  order  to  be  beautiful,   ought   to  be  low. 
«  This  form  is  fo  appropriated  to  all  the  ideal  heads,  and  to  the 

*  youthful  figures  of  ancient  art,  that  it  is  fufficient  to  enable  us 

*  to  diilinguifii  between  an  ancient  and  a  modern  production. 

*  By  the  elevated  forehead  alone  I  have  deteded  feveral  modern 
«  bulls,  placed  veiT-  high,  and  which  it  was  out  of  my  power  to 

*  examine  very  clofely.     We   met  with  very  few  of  our   artifts 

*  who  have  paid  attention  to  this  kind  of  beauty.     I  am    even 

*  acquainted  with  fome  who,  in  figures  of  youth  of  both  fexes, 

*  have  elevated  the  forehead  naturally  low,  and  made  the  hair  re- 

*  tire,  in  order  to  produce  what  they  call  an  open  forehead.     In 

*  this  article,  as  in  many  others,  Bernini  has  fought  for  beauty 

*  by  means  diametrically  oppofite  to  thofe  of  the  ancients.' 
(He  himfelf  had  an  elevated  and  fpacious  forehead,and  for  this  rea- 
fon,  perhaps,  was  lefs  fond  of  fliort foreheads.)    *  Baldinucci,  bis 

*  panegyrift,  informs  us  that  this  artift,  having  modelled  the  figure 
'  of  Louis  XIV.  in  his  youth,  had  removed  upward  the  hair  of  the 

*  young  king  from  off  the  forehead.     This   difFufe^  Florentine, 

*  who 


lavater's   physiognomy.  139 

^  who  imagined  that  he  was  in  that  inftance  producing  a  wonder- 

*  ful  proof  of  his  hero's  dehcacy  of  tafte,  only  expofed  his  want 

*  of  tadl  snd  of  knowledge.  Any  one  may  make  the  experiment 
'  on  a  perfon  who  has  a  low  forehead,    by  covering  the  hair  of 

*  the  forelock  with  his  fingers,  and  fuppofmg  the  forehead  to  be 

*  fo  much  elevated  ;  he  will  be  immediately  ilruck  with  a  certain 

*  violation  of  proportion,  and  become  fcnfible  how  prejudicial  to 

*  beauty  an  elevated  forehead  m.ay  be-'  (That  is  to  i-iij ^  for fuch 
a  given  forehead.  But  taking  it  inverfely,  I  confidently  maintain  ; 
that  to  be  convinced  of  the  bad  effedt  of  a  low  forehead,  it  is  fuf- 
ficient  to  cover  with  the  finger  the  upper  part  of  an  elevated  fore-^ 
head,  and  to  fuppofe  it  fo  much  ftiortened  :  how  fenfibly  will  the 
violation  of  proportion  then  appear  !  f  mean,  in  that  individual. 
Any  face  whatever  will  always  be  difproportionate,  at  leail  in  the 
eyes  of  an  experienced  phyfionomift,  the  moment  you  add  or  re- 
trench. Wincklemann's  obfervation,  therefore,  provei  nothing 
either  as  to  the  beauty  of  low,  or  the  ugHnefs  of  elevated  fore- 
heads :  though,  on  the  other  hand,  I  cheerfully  admiit  that,  in 
general,  low  foreheads  are  more  agreeable,  more  expreffive,  and 
inore  beautiful  than  elevated  foreheads. ) 

*  In  conformity  to  this  maxim,  the  CircaiHan  women,  to  have 
^  the  appearance  of  a  low  forehead,  comb  down  the  hair  of  the 

*  front  locks,  fo  that  it  approaches  almoil  to  the  eyebrows.'  (It 
is  impoflible  for  me  to  conceive  how  Winckelman,  the  Apoflle  of 
beauty^  fhould  have  undertaken  the  elogium  of  fuch  a  piece  of 
dress;  or  how  Winckelmann  thi  Phyfionamift  could  have  pardoned 
it.) 

'   Ancient  commentators  are  of  opinion  that  Horace,  in  csle- 
^  bratiijg  his  infignem  tenulfronte  Lycorida,  meant  to  defcribe  a  low 

*  forehead  ;  angujla  '<^ parnmf route ^  quo d in pukhritudlnis  forma  com- 

*  mendarifolet;  {jhelow  and  f mall  forehead,  if ually  ejleemed  an  article 

*  of  beauty. ~\     But  Cruqulus  has  not  hit   the   meaning  of  this 

*  paiTage,  for  he  fays,  in  the  remark  which  accompanies  it: 
^  Tenuis  Id  rotunda  from  index  efi  Ubidinis  ef  mohilitaiisfimpTicittaifque. 
*"  fine  proc  act  petulantia  dolifque  meretricis  :  \_a  f mall  round  forehead  is 
^  the  indication  of  the  amorous  pafjion^  ofkvity  andfunplicity,  without 

*  ihe 


i^o  lavater's  physiognomy, 

*  tke  Iqfdvious  petulcnce  and  the  cunning  of  the  courtt%an*  (Tlie 
commentator  Cruquiun,  however,  cxpreflcs  hlmfclf  with  more 
phyfiognomical  accuracy  tlian  Wliickclmann,  for  a  fmnll rounded 
forehead  Is  neither  beautiful  nor  noble,  unlefs  it  be  only  half  con- 
vex.) Francis  Junius  is  equally  miflaken  refpedling  the  word 
tenuis  which  he   explains  by  the  «7r«Xcv  v.aX  ^poau^sq  ijArairov:  [_the 

*  Jlc'ck  and  rofcid forehead']  of  Anacreon'a  Bythallas.  The  frons 
'  tenuis  of  Horace  is  x\\c  frons  hrcvis  which  Martial  requires  in  a 

*  handfome  youth.  Neitlier  is  it  proper  to  render  i\\g  frons  minima 

*  of  Circe  in  Petronius  by  petit  front,  as  the  French  tranflator 

*  has  done,  as  the  forehead  may  be  at  once  broad  and  low.'  (Nay 

*  more,  a  certain  breadth  of  forehead  neceffarily  fuppofes  that  it 

*  must  be  low.)     We  may  give  Arnobius  credit  for  his  aflertlon, 

*  tliat  v;omen  who  had  a  high  forehead,  covered  the  upper  part 

*  of  it  with  a  fillet^  to  make  it  appear  fliortcr.     To  give  the  face 

*  the  oval  form  and  the  perfedion  ot  beauty,  the  hair  furrounding 

*  the  forehead  muft  encompafs  the  temples  in  a  circular  form,  a 

*  conformation  which  we  find  in  all  beautiful  women.'  (And 
which  is,  m  effedl,  the  moll  advantageous;  which  announces 
equal  dignity  of  foul,  and  accuracy  and  clearnefs  of  difcernment.) 

*  This  form  of  forehead  is  fo  appropriate  to  all  the  ideal  heads, 

*  and   figures  of  youth  of  antif-nt  art,  that  you  meet  with  none 

*  having  retiring  angles  and   without  hair  above  the   temples. 

*  Very  few  of  our  modern  flatuaries,  liave  made  this  remark  ;  in 

*  all  modern  reflaurations  of  youthful  male  heads  on  antique  lla- 

*  tucs,  you  obferve  at  once  this  injudicious  idea,  as  you  uniformly 

*  find  the  hair  advancing  in  flopes  upon  the  forehead.' 

Let  us  now  return  to  Mr.  de  Pernctty,  who,  but  for  this  dl- 
gredion,  would,  perhaps,  have  tired  us. 

*  Tf  fomc  autiiora  arc  to  be  believed,  nothing  but  what  Is  mean 

*  and  efTcmlnatc  need  be  expedled  from  perfons  whofe  forehead 
'  oflcnds  In  rcfpc 61  of  fmallncfs.  Fuchfius  adds,  that  they  are  ex- 
<  trcmtly  irafclble,  unlleady,  volatile,  prattlers,  and  prigglfh,  en- 

*  vious,  affedted  admirers  of  great  adh'ons,  but  little  difpofed  to 

*  imitate  them,  becaufe  the  ventricles  of  the  brain  being  too  con- 
^  fined,  their  ideas  arc  there  jumbled  and  confounded.  They  delight 

'   tQ 


LA  VATER  *S    P  HYSIOGNOM  Y.  H^ 

*  to  iliin  you  with  proteftations  of  fnendlhlp  and  benevokncc, 

*  but  the  heart  takes  little  Intcrell  in  them  ;  they  are  quickly  lolt 

<  In  their  attempts  to  reafon,  becaufc  they  are  able  neither  to  prc- 

<  ferve  the   chain   entire,  nor  to  keep  light  of  their  ohjca,  and 

*  becaufc,  with  them,  the  tongue  always  outruns  the  mnul. 

«  A  forehead  very  much  furrowed  and  wrinkled,  Indicates  a 
«  man  thoughtful  and  full  of  care  ;  for  when  tlic  mind  is 
«  ferioufly  employed,  whether  with  anxiety  or  forrow,  we  con- 

*  trad  the  eyebrows. 

*  Thofe  who  have  a  cloudy,  lowering  forehead,  are  meditating 
'  melancholy   fceaes,   or    daring   enterprifcs  ;    for    this    reafon, 

*  Terence  puts  thefe  words  into  the  mouth  of  one  of  hischarnc- 

*  ters,  to  his  friend  who  wore  a  penfive  air;  exporri^e  fro7it{:nip 

*  fmooth  your  forehead. 

*  When  the  wrinkles  or  furrows  have  a  perpendicular  dlred^ion, 

*  they  aimouncc  a  choleric  perfon  ;  for  fucli  wrinkles  are  formed 

*  in  the  paroxyfms  of  that  pailion.     The  LatiriS  calls  this  kind 

*  of  forehead, y'rowj' r«^o/2/ .*  the  wrinllyfnrchccnU    But  a  forehead 

*  hard  and  rough  [frons  ajpera)   whofe  parched  hide  abforhs  the 

*  rays  of  light,  indicates  impudence  and  ferocity.  Thcfe  are 
^  what  we  call  hraten  foreheads y  which  are  never  fufceptible  of  a 

*  bluHi,  and  have  a  propcnfity  to  inhumanity,  and  fo  many  other 

*  vices.  (When  tlic  unevcnneffcs  arc  well  difpofcd,  fymmetrical 
and  fquare,  brazen  foreheads  of  this  fort  announce  a  charadler  in- 
iinitely  energetic  and  enterprlzing  :  but  it  would  be  extremely 
wrong  to  accufe  them  ii-idlfcriminately  o^  ferocity.  Thi^:  frocious 
is  a  'weak  man,  ''who,  under  the  dominion  of  an  arbitrary  Im- 
pulfe,  rejoices  like  a  madman  In  the  calamity  of  another  ;  who, 
like  the  mifcr,  employs  the  means  as  the  end.  Now  no  one  but  ii 
being  excefhvely  weak,  can  overlook  the  end  of  an  adion,  in  at- 
taching himfelf  to  the  means  ) 

*  The  uneven  forehead  fecms  compofed  of  fmall  eminences, 
*  which  form  as  it  were  ridges  intermixed  with  valleys  and  little 
'  hollows:  it  h  the  indication  of  a  propcnlity  to  trick  and  im- 

*  pollure* 


142  lavater's   physiognomy. 

*  pofture,  efpecially  when  the  prominences  are  the  effect  only  of 

*  the  repeated  contradion  of  the  ikin,  and  of  the  mufcles  which 

*  it  covers,  and  not  of  the  form  of  the  bone  of  the  fcull.     For 

*  there  is   nothing  in  this  cafe  but  the  a6lion  of  the  muicles, 

*  which,  being  an  effe^l  of  the  will,  draw  back,  contract,  or  ex- 

*  tend  the  flcin, — Now  it  is  univerfally  known,  that  it  is  the  pro- 

*  nerty  only  of  a  cheat,  an  impoiture,  a  knave,  to  mafk  his  fore-» 

*  head  at  pleafure,  by  imprefling  upon  it  whatever  motions  he 

*  thinks  fit  to  pra6life.     To  unmaik  him,  then,  we  mml  obferve 

*  his  eyes,  in  which  the  emotions  of  the  heart  are  more  naturally 
^  difplayed.'  (How  eafy  is  it  to  view  the  fame  objed  in  two 
different  points  of  light!  For  my  part,  it  appears  tome  inconteft- 
Mey  Firfl,  that  the  bony  part  of  the  forehead  never  changes:  this 
it  is  impolTible  to  deny.  Secondly,  the  fkin  of  the  forehead  being 
fpread  over  the  bone,  it  muft  be  regulated  by  the  latter ;  it  has  the 
power  of  contradion,  but  in  a  certain  manner  only.  Thirdly,  the 
'R^rinkles  of  the  forehead  are  a  confequence  of  the  m.otion  of  the 
ilcin,  and,  of  courfe,  a  confequence  of  the  adion  of  the  motion  of 
thought,  of  feeling,  of  pain,  acc.  In  order,  then,  that  the  cheat 
Ihould  not  betray  himfelf  by  the  forehead,  he  muft  poffefs  the 
power  of  fmoothing  the  ficin  of  it  at  pleafure,  of  reducing  it  to  a 
ilate  of  inadivity  and  impalTibility.  The  ivrinhles  are  the  infor- 
mers again  11  the  cheat :  they  contribute  more  to  unmail^  him 
than  any  thing  elfe.  Let  the  forehead  be  otherwife  as  energetic, 
ai  harfli  as  you  will,  the  man  is  not  for  that  a  cheat,  God  did  not 
create  him  fuch.  It  is  true,  at  the  fame  time,  that  fuch  a  quantity 
or  fuch  a  defect  of  energy,  may  favour  the  propenfity  to  roguery, 
but  does  not  necelTarily  lead  to  it,  and  the  bony  fyilem  of  the 
forehead  is,  at  moft,  only  an  indication  of  this  propenfity.  TJiat 
being  the  cafe,  and  the  folid  parts  not  admitting  any  fpecies  of 
dilTimulation,  it  will  be  ftiil  neceffary  to  confult  the  movements 
of  the  fliin,  or  the  wrinkles,  which  will  alTift  us  in  refolvino-  the 
queftion.  Is  this  man  a  cheat,  or  not  ?  Let  us  now  fuppofe,  that 
the  wrinkles  can  explain  the  myflery,  and  they  only  can  do  it,  is 
it  creditable  that  the  cheat  is  capable  of  effacing  their  traces  as 
eafiiy  as  he  can  wipe  the  fweat  from  his  forehead  ?  that  he  is  able 
to  extirpate  them  fo  completely,  as  to  prevent  the  pollibility  of 
their   re-appearance,  at  the  moment)  perhaps,  when  he  is  leall 

aware 


layater's  physiognomy.  143 

aware  of  it  ?  Never  will  he  acquire  the  power  of  doing  this  ; 
how  then  dares  any  one  affirm  with  a  confident  tone,  that  the  cheat 
can  majk  his  forehead  at  pleajure  by  imprejfing  on  it  whatever  move' 
ments  he  thinks  Jit  to  praBife  P  Let  me  be  underftood,  however.  1 
do  not  fay,  *  that  the  cheat  is  incapable  of  difguifing  himfelf  ;* 
on  the  contrary,  he  fometimes  fucceeds.   Neither  do  I  fay,  *  that 

*  the  forehead  is  always  the  infallible  detedorof  the  cheat  ;'  but 

*  I  fay,  *  that  if  the  cheat  is  liable  to  detection  by  the  forehead> 

*  —it  matters  not,  whether  it  be  the  folid  form  or  the  movement 
^  of  the  flcin  which  betray  him,— then  he  is  rendered  incapable  of 

*  diffimulation,  as  he  has  neither  the  power  of  altering  the  bony 

*  fyftem  of  the   forehead,  nor  of  effacing  its  diilin^live  wrin- 

*  kles.' 

It  is  eafier  to  pra£life  impofture  In  things  which  do  not,  than 
in  thofe  which  do  exift,  and  that  is  one  of  the  cafes  in  which  it 
may  be  faid  :  A  city  that  isfet  on  an  hill  cannot  be  hid, 

'  There  are  then,'  continues  Mr.  de  Pernetty,  *  different  fortS 

*  of  foreheads,  and  thefe  differences  are  extremely  perceptible 
<  even  to  thofe  who  confider  them  with  no  extraordinary  degree 

*  of  attention.  Some  prepoffefs  us  in  favour  of  the  perfon, 
'  others   to  his  difadvantage.     In  effed,  a  ferene  forehead  an- 

*  nounces  habitual  tranquilHty  of  foal,  and  gen'tlenefs  of  charac- 

*  ter.  It  is  a  faying  of  Seneca  :  Nothing  is  truly  fublimebut  the 
'  moft  exalted  virtue,  and  nothing  great,  but  v/hat  is,  at  the  fame 

*  time,  calm  and  gentle.     The  region  of  the  atmofphere  next 

*  the  (tars  is  not  obfcured  with  clouds,  nor  agitated  with  tempefts, 

*  like  the  inferior  reo:ions,  where  boifterous  wmds  foread  tumult 

*  and  confufion  :  ail  there  is  perfe6l  tranquillity.     In  like   man- 

*  ner  a  great  foul,  an  elevated  and  fublime  genius,  enjoys  undif^ 

*  turbed  repofe  ;  he  has  a  modeil  and  gentle  air,  a  ferene  and  ma- 

*  jeftic  forehead. 

*  But  an  open  and  inviting  forehead  is  very  frequently  the  in- 
^  dication  of  fawning  and  flattery,  fometimes  of  a  man  who  is 
^  adually  fpreading  a  fnare  for  you,  We  fee  t\i\&  frontem  expor^ 
^  retfam  cf  blandam  {^fmooih  and  faivn'mj^  forcheccV^   in  dogs,  who 

'  flatter 


144  LAVATEr's    PHYSIOGHJOM^. 

*  flatter  you  for  a  bone  to  gnaw,  the  oppolite  of  the  fevere  and 

*  cloudy  forehead,  which  is  the  index  of  anxiety,  of  harflmefs  of 

*  characler,  fometimes'that  of  courage,  but  at  the  fame  time  of 

*  ferocity  ;  fuch  are  the  foreheads  of  the  lion,  the  bull,  and  the 

*  maftifi/— (Thefe  three  foreheads,  which  Mr.  de  Pernetty  here 
jumbles  into  one  and  the  fame  clafs,  are  neverthekfs  entirely 
'  different.) 

*  The   beauty  of  the  forehead  then  confifts  not  only  in  its 

*  largenefs,  its  round  or  fquare  form  ;  but  in  its  exaft  proportion 

*  with  the  other  parts  of  the  face,  as  well  as  in  its  majeily,  its  fe- 

*  verity,  and  in   the  graces  which  accompany  thefe.     We   are 

*  ftrUck    with  the  beautiful,    we  admire  it,    we  are    fubdu- 

*  ed  by  the  graceful,  we  love   it.     The  former  is  the  pukher 

*  of  the  Romans  ;  the  fecond  is  their /orw/?^j',  or  \htiv  pukhritudo 

*  cum  venujiate  ;  [beauty  and  grace  united.] 

'  An  ugly  forehead  is  one  that  offends  by  excefs  of  whateveif 

*  kinds  or  by  other  of  the  defe6ls  which  we  have  pointed  out,  un- 

*  der  the  epithets  of  auftere,  rugged,  harfh,  cloudy,  &c.  and 

*  which  the  Romans  expreffed  hj  frons  giblofa,frons  ajpera^rugofai 

*  obnubilofa,  triftis,  ohjcura^  ohduBa^feralis^  8cc, 

*  A  forehead  wrinkled,  before  age  has  impreffed  its  own  traces, 

*  indicates  a  melancholic  temperament,  which  has  been  plunged 

*  in  the  anxieties  and  inquietudes  of  bulinefs,  engaged  in  the|pur- 

*  fuits  of  ungratified  ambition,  or  in  a  courfe  of  uninterrupted 

*  and  fevere  application  to  ftudy ;  but  the  flern  confl:ri6ted  fore- 

*  heady  which  the  Romans  cdlled  frons  conJlrid.a,  frons  caperata, 

*  ufualiy  denotes, severity  and  malignant  censure,  as  well  as  envy, 

*  Hence  that   expreflion    of  Petronius,   alluding  to    Cato   the 

*  Cenfor; 

Quid  me  fpedatis  conflrida  fronte  Catones? 

*  It  may  therefore  be  laid  down  as  a  general  propofition,  morri' 

*  Jlrum  m  fronte,  momjirum  in  anlmo:  [^A  monjier  in  forehead^  amonjier 
'  in  mind.^ 

*  As  to  the  lines  or  furrows  perceptible  In  the  forehead,  and 

*  which 


« 


Tag e -245 


Yoim. 


i^AVATEIt's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  I45 

^  which  crofs  it  in  height,  in  breadth,  or  in  any  other  diredion,  it 

*  is  well  known,  that  the  fewer  in  number  and  of  the  lefs  depth 

*  thefe  h'nes  are,  the  more  they  denote  humidity  of  temperament 
'  as  may  be  obferved  in  infants,  in  young  perfons,  and  In  females* 

*  Broad  lines  announce  a  gentle  warmth,  becaufe  it  is  tempered 

*  by  humidity,  and  difcovcr  a  gay  and  chearful  difpoHtlon,  which 

*  has  not  been  greatly  foured  by  the  revcrfes  of  fortune.   Narrow 

*  lines  feem  to  be  peculiar  to   females,  and  men  of  an  effeminate 

*  chara6ler.     There  are  ufually  five   or  feven   lines,   never  lefs 

*  than  three.     Such  as  are  llralght   and  continuous  indicate  a 

*  happy  temperament,  conftancy,  firmnefs,  and  reftitude.    Thofe 

*  which  are  broken  and  wind  about  irregularly  are  an  indication 

*  of  the  contrary,  when  they  recede  very  much  from  the  llraight 

*  line,  and  interfefl  each  other  in  different  direftlons*     The  lines 

*  which  extend  in  ramifications,  are,  it  is  fald,  the  indication  of  a 

*  proje6t:or,  of  a  man  irrefolute  and  unfleady.' 

I  have  only  to  add,  that  I  pretend  not  to  approve  of  every 
thbg  which  I  have  paffed  over  without  remark,  in  thefe  different 
extracts.  A  more  particular  difcufiion  would  have,  of  itfelf,  fil- 
led a  volume.  Befides,  the  obfervatlons  of  the  authors  whom  I  ^ 
have  quoted,  ought  to  have  been  fupported  by  accurate  drawings, 
without  which  we  always  fay  too  much,  or  too  little,  In  phyfiog- 
nomy. 


Additions 
To  THE  PRECEEDiNG  Chapter.    A. 

The  annexed  plate  v/ill  elucidate  feveral  of  our  doftrinal  pofi- 
tions.  Sagacity,  perfpkacity,  profundity-^\.hdQ  are  the  qualities  I 
fpy  in  the  three  profiles  under  infpeaion.  No.  i.  is  not  an 
unlverfal  genius  ;  he  fekas,  and  attaches  himfeif  to  a  particular 
point  :  No.  2,  embraces  a  more  ample  field,  and  ranges  through 
it  at  his  eafe  :  No.  3,  lays  hold.  In  objeds,  of  every  thing  they 
prefent  :  he  digs,  he  penetrates,  he  examines  them  in  their  com- 
foinatloi],  he  decompounds  them,  and  conadeis  all  the  parts  fepa- 

lateiv. 


H^  '  LAVATEr's    PHYSlOGNOMlfa 

ratdy.     I,  Is  the  befT  difpofed  for  the  arts  ;  2,  has  mofi:  tafle  i 
3,  is  the  grt^it^  philofopher.     Forehead  i,  has  nothing  keen,  it  is 
fimpleandopen  :  this  man  is  capable  of  extrading  the  qiunteffence 
of  things,  without  employing  violent  efforts  ;  his  look  concen- 
trates, as  in  a  focus,  the  rays  which  the  forehead  has  coUefted. 
With  that  contour  more  fhaded  and  more  compaft,  2,  will  better 
diftinguifh,  and  a£l  with  greater  efFe6l,  than  the  preceeding  :  3, 
advances  diredly  to  the  point  :  what  he  has  once  laid  hold  of,  he 
never  lets  go  :  he  difpofes  his  materials  with  more  care  and  reflec- 
tion, but  with  lefs  intelligence  and  talle  than  the  other  two  i  his 
bony  conftitution  implies  mental  firmnefs  not  eafily  to  be  fhaken 
or  turned  from  his  purpofe.    The  form  of  the  forehead,  however, 
ilopes  rather  too  much,  and  the  projedlion  refulting  from  it  is  too 
mean  to  permit  this  head  to  rank  among  thofe  of  great  men.    It 
is  impoliible  for  me  to  exprefs  it  too  decidedly,  the  fmalleft  con- 
cavity of  forehead  is  of  aftonifhing  fignificancy,  and  is  frequently 
iiiexpreffibly  injurious  to  the  character.     Obferve  farther,  in  thefe 
tliree  portraits,  the  harmony  of  the  forehead  with  the  other  parts 
of  the  face,  with  the  contour  of  the  nofe,  the  cheek  bone,  the 
lips,  the  chin,  the  eyes  the  eyebrows?  and  the  hair.    Were   I    a 
prince,    i,  (hould  be  my  defigner ;  2,  my  reader:  and  3,  my 
comptroller-general. 


Seneca.     B. 

This  head  cannot  poffibly  be  that  of  Senaca,  if  he  is  the  author 
of  the  works  which  bear  his  name.  The  forehead  indeed  fuggefts 
the  richnefs  of  imagination,  and  the  energy  of  the  Latin  Philo- 
fopher,  but  fo  far  from  harmonizing  v/ith  his  delicacy  and  inge- 
nious manner,  it  is  harfh,  inflexible,  untractable  The  whole 
of  the  phyfionomy  bears  the  fame  imprefs.  Every  thing  in  it 
is  fall  of  force  and  impetuofity  ;  every  thing  announces  violent 
paffions,  eafily  roufed,  but  calmed  with  difficulty.  There  is  in 
each  part  feparately,  and  in  their  union,  a  fhocking  coarfenefs 
and  vulgarity.  The  arrangement  of  the  hair  and  of  the  beard, 
the    form  of  the  eyebrows,  that  of  the  mouth,  of  the  chin  and 

neck 


Fa^e  -24^ 


Vol.m. 


B 


C 


2(K> 


lavater's  physiognomy.  147 

neck,  eqii-ally  contribute  to  produce  this  difagreeable  effe^:.  Tliis 
face,  however,  is  not  deftitute  of  intereic,  becaiife  it  is  complete 
and  homogeneous  in  all  its  points.  Whenever  he  pleafes,  he  will 
be  all  eye,  and  all  ear  ;  and  that,  in  my  opinion,  is  fayin'r  a  great 
deal.  That  fufpic'ous  look  pries  into  your  thoughts  and  difcovers 
them.  The  wrinkles  abouc  the  root  of  the  nofe  and  the  eyebrows 
conceal  an  hundred  anfvvers  inftead  of  one,  to  every  queflio.'.  you 
can  propofe.  Do  not  undertake  to  fubdue  that  forehead,  if  it  re- 
lift  you.  The  mouth  promifes  at  moft  a  character  frank  and 
trufty  :  but  you  muft  expert  from  it  neither  delicacy  nor  ceremo- 
nious circumfpe6tion.  Finally,  the  nofe  is  fuperior  to  all  the  reft  ; 
and,  without  reaching  the  fublime,  denotes  a  mind  energetic,  pro- 
duftive,  penetrating,  which,  with  all  its  coarfenefs,  is  replete  with 
ingenuity  and  farcaftic  humour. 


Addition     C. 

Here  is  another  pretended  Seneca,  very  different  from  the  pre- 
ceeding,  but  altogether  as  indifferent  a  reprefentation,  in  its 
way.  The  profile  has,  however,  ten  times  more  ingenui- 
ty and  delicacy  than  the  large  portrait.  The  forehead,  confider- 
ed  feparately  is  not  much  fuperior,  if  you  will :  nay,  perhaps  it 
contains  not  very  extraordinary  fenfe,  but  you  cannot  refufe  to  it 
either  profound  capacity,  or  power  of  reafoning,  or  uncommon, 
firmnefs  ;  it  turns  every  obje6l  over  and  over,  and  examines  it  on 
all  fides.  The  reft  of  the  contour  is  perfectly  homogeneous,  ani- 
mated with  the  fame  fpirit  of  analyfis  and  penetration,  but  af- 
fociated  at  the  fame  time  with  the  moft  exquifite  tafte.  The  eye 
too  difcovers  fuperior  fagacity.  The  forehead  is  the  only  part 
where  I  do  not  find  this  ;  it  .iSW'^ot.  fufficlently  gentle  to 
charafterize  the  man  of  tafte,  and  for  that  reafon  it  prefents  a 
contraft.  It  is  this  part  which  forbids  me  to  afcrlbe  to  the  face 
below  delicacy  of  feeling,  though  I  readily  allow  it  that  of  judg- 
ing.   The  whole  announces  more  ingenuity  t^han  ftrong  fenfe. 

VoL.IIL  R  Ad- 


14*5  l.AVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY- 


Addition     D. 

I  have  forgotten  wbom  this  portrait  reprefents,  but  a  name  is 
of  no  tignificancY;  and,  I  will  anfwer  for  it,  the  original  is  a  man 
prudent  and  clesr-fighted,  an  accurate  difcerner,  and  a  juft  reafon- 
cr«  Without  reaching  the  fubli me,  without  being  a  phiiofopher, 
properly  fo  called,  or  a  poetical  genius,  he  is  a  man  of  fcience,  of 
erudition,  and  pofTeiTed  of  very  extenfi^^e  knov/ledge.  Refolute" 
from  chara6ter,  he  will  fhrink  from  no  trial,  and  If  attacked  will 
mainta?nhis  ground.  His  fquare  forehead  bears  witnefs  to  a  pro- 
digious memory,  much  good  fenfe,  and  a  firranefs  which  will  de- 
generate rather  into  obftinacy  than  into  feverlty.  Foreheads, 
Vvhich,  in  the  whole,  are  as  prominent  as  the  one  before  us,  and 
which,  the  wrinkles  excepted,  approach  to  the  perpendicular  form 
generally  exclude  aquiline,  (loping,  and  turned  nofes,  but  they  al- 
raoft  alvi?ays  admit  a  proje<5iing  under  lip  and  chin,  as,  for  exam- 
ple, In  the  portrait  of  Zuinglius.  Perfons  thus  conformed  will 
maintain  a  (iiilingmlhed  place  in  council  and  in  the  cabinet  :  you 
may  employ  them  to  advantage  in  laborious  difcuflions^  whether 
in  literature,  or  io  politics. 


Kleinjogg.     E. 

The  Rustic  Socrates, 

This  form  of  face  is  neither  fublim.e,  nor  of  a  regular  beauty  • 
but  fuch  as  it  i.s  here  prefented,  muft  however  be  allov/ed  to  pafs 
for  beau'arul.  Ycu  diilinguish  in  it  a  certain  elevation,  much 
gentlenefs,  wiidorn;  ferenity,  and  firaphcity,  lefs  depth  than  good 
feiife,  clearnefs  rather  than  a  tafte  for  reffearch,  and,  as  the  biogra- 
pher Klcinj&gg  has  well  exprehed  it,  thought,  feeling,  and  action 
are  here  in  complete  harmony,  I  ipoke  a  little  ago  of  the  aflo- 
nifliing  fignincation  refulting  from  the  rmalleil  floping  of  the 
forehead,  viewed  in  profile.  The  fuperlor  arch  of  the  one  before 
us  is  as  pure,  as  happy  as  it  poliibly  can  be  •  it  requires  an  eye  the 
nioH  experienced  to  difcoverthe  almoft  Imperceptible  cavity  which 

lai 


l  lavater's    physiognomy.  149 

has  flipt  into  the  drawing,  From  the  eyebrows  to  the  place  where 
the  upper  part  of  the  forehead  begins  to  bend,  and  yet  the  failure 
in  this  Tingle  trait  is  fufficient  to  derange  the  whole  Form  of  the 
forehead,  to  blunt^the  hne  of  the  contour,  and  to  weaken  the  phy- 
fiognomical  expreilion.  I  muH  likewife  find  fault  with  the  extre- 
mity of  the  frontsl  fmas,  the  tranfitlon  from  the  foiehead  to  the 
nofe,  which  is  not  fuiliciently  clear,  which  does  ncL  flow  eafily, 
and  imperceptibly  melt  away,  and,  for  tliat  reafon,  produces  a 
difadvantageous  efFecl.  The  nofe,  as  well  as  the  eye,  is  reph.te 
with  delicacy  and  dignity,  and  unveils  a  mind  fafcept'ble  of  the 
higheft  cultivation.  I  find  in  iht  mouth  a  chara6:er  of  refleftion, 
a  difcernment,  and  a  fagacity  extremely  rare  among  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  country,  but  the  print  exhibiliG  a  degree  ex  exactnefs, 
order,  and  neatnefs,  to  which  the  original  feldoiu  rellrrS:fd  him« 
felf  but  on  feftivals.  Tlie  void  wnich  here  appears  in  the  contour 
of  the  jaw,  mull  certainly  be  a  deviation  fro;n  the  trutii,hecaufe 
it  forms  a  contrail  w4th  the  wrinkles  which  furrow  the  rcH  of  the 
face.  Were  I  called  upon  to  chava6terize  this  man,  I  would  place 
him  in  the  foremoll  rank  of  perfons  endowed  with  good  fenfe  ; 
but,  on  the  ether  hand,  I  would  place  h'ni  very  low  •  1  the  clafa 
of  tender,  feeling,  or  paffionate  fouls.  As  a  foi^ndacion  for  fuch 
decifion,  I  would  c.-nfult  only  the  forehead,  and  the  pei^enGicu- 
larity  of  the  upper  lip,  though  in  this  lail  fedtion  there  is  fome- 
thing  blended  which  gives  it  a  tint  of  goodnefs.  In  general,  this 
phyfionomy  is  an  interelling  fiower  in  the  garden  of  the  cif^ation  : 
^t  the  moment  1  write,  this  flower  droops  and  dies,  and  it§  fall 
ills  every  honeft  heart  with  regret. 


R  ?  Ao- 


T?ai  lavater's  physiognomy, 


Addition     F» 


Kleinjogg  in  Contour. 

I. 

This  is  ftill  the  profile  of  Kleinjogg.  It  is  only  a  fimple  ont- 
line,  and  fomewhat  hard,  but  given  with  fo  much  the  more  preci- 
iion,  energy,  and  harmony.  In  this  flcetch  the  arch  of  the  fore- 
head is  not  fo  eafy,  fo  clear,  fo  delicate,  as  in  the  print ;  but  the 
continuation  of  the  outline,  and  its  tranfition  to  the  nofe,  appear 
to  me  natural  and  true.  A  forehead  like  this,  implies  the  certain- 
ty of  an  acute  difcernment  and  found  judgment  of  things,  and, 
in  this  refpc6l  it  difputes  the  fuperiority  with  the  preceding,  at 
lead  as  far  as  the  lower  feftion  is  concerned.  The  look  alfo  is 
more  found  and  more  penetrating.  In  both  figures  the  noftrils 
have  equal  delicacy,  and  the  hair  indicates  a  man  intelligeol:,  gen- 
tle and-1tra£iable. 


II. 


In  this  head  I  difcover  an  enterprlzing  fpirit,  applying  itfeif 
with  ardor  to  whatever  it  is  engaged  in,  and  purfuing  with  undi- 
verted indufiry  what  It  has  once  begun.  I  afcribe  to  it  more  prac- 
tical reafon  than  philofophic  penetration.  It  is  much  more  cho- 
leric than  Kleinjogg  ;  has  a  greater  facility  in  catching  details, 
but  is  lefs  capable  of  comprehending  a  whole.  The  forehead,  in, 
particular,  is  one  of  thofe  which  contain  a  multitude  of  ideas, 
clearly  perceived  and  clearly  unfolded.  The  whole  form  is  per» 
fedly  adapted  to  a  man  of  bufinefs  in  a  middling  condition. 


Y^i 


iliy'c  -i^e. 


YofM. 


Kleiujogrg: 


267 


tAVATER's     PHYSIOGNOMY.  I^I 


III. 


You  win  find  in  the  third  mofl  ingenuity,  gentlenefs,  fenfibility, 
and  even  wit.  There  Is  here  a  propenfity  to  devotion,  and  that 
propenfity  is  neceffary  to  him.  Every  feature  depicts  a  man  calm 
andcompofed,  who  seflefts  maturely,  and  who  examines  at  leifure; 
The  forehead  has  fcarcely  any  prominence  ;  there  is  nothing 
bold,  nothing  hard  In  its  outhne  ;  nothing  which  bears  the  mark 
of  a  daring  or  creative  genius.  It  announces  more  wifdom  than 
fagacity,  and  Is  the  oppodte  of  2,  which  difplays  more  fagacity 
than  wifdom.  In  other  refpefts,  the  whole  pf  the  phylionomy 
is  wonderfully  harmonious  ;  the  eye,  the  mouth,  the  nofe?  the 
chin,  every  thing  correfponds  to  the  fundamental  character, 
every  thing  is  animated  v;ith  one  and^the  fame  fpirit  of  atten- 
llon. 


R5  It 


1^2  j-avater's  ]?Hy sioguo^^. 


ApDiTfON       G- 

It  is  now  more  reniiifite  tban  ever,  to  apply  the  general  rule, 
according  to  whicli  we  hcive  hid  it  down  as  a  principle,  '  Tiiat 

*  ever)''  thing  is  iiomogeneous  in  man  ;  that  each  part,  and  each 

*  part  of  that  part  preierves  more  or  lefs  the  chara6ler  cf  the 

*  whole/ 

The  fmaUeil  wrinkle  of  the  forehead  is  analogous  to  the  ftruc- 
ture  of  the  whole  forehead,  or,  in  other  words,  it  is  an  effect  of 
the  whole.  Now  there  is  no  effect  without  a  caufe.  and  every- 
thing may  be  traced  up  to  its  fource.  Such  as  is  the  foil,  fuch 
are  the  fruits  which  it  produces  ;  fuch  as  is  t}\e  forehead,  fuch  are 
the  wrinkles  formed  in  it.  Foreheads  entirely  fmooih  are  not 
lefs  rare  than  chava£lers  completely  good  or  completely  wicked. 
The  moft  imperceptible  trait  is  Hill  a  phyfiognomical  line.  Ex- 
amine the  foreheads  of  changelings-born  ;  nothing  can  be  more 
exprelTive,  or  more  ftriking,  than  the  Wi  inkles  of  their  foreheads  ; 
they  ai'e  always  many  in  number,  deeply  traced,  croifed  and  inter- 
fe£led.  The  wrinkles  impreiTed  by  care  differ  prodigioufly  from 
thofe  which  are  the  effecb  of  joy.  In  ferious  meditation  the  flcin 
of  the  forehead  contrafts  quite  differently  from  what  it  does  ii^ 
the  moment  of  recreation. 

Am.ong  thefe  foreheads,  there  is  not  a  fmgle  one  either 
fmooth  enough,  or  in  a  llyle  fufficiently  gveat  to  infure 
refpeft  from  the  wrinkles  alone  ;  but  it  is  likewifc 
true,  that  to  render  thens  more  fenfible,  the  engraver  has 
•flrengthened  them  a  little  ;  and  the  phyiiognomical  expreffion  al. 
ways  fuffers  when  the  wrinkles  of  the  forehead  are  ftrongly  mark- 
ed, and  efpecially  when  the  contradlion  of  the  ikin  is  not  a, 
voluntary  movement. 

The   four  foreheads  of  the    preceding   plate    all    belong  to 
perfons  of  fenfe.    Scrupulous  to   excefs.,   i.  exhaufts  himfeif  in 
plans  and  projeds.     2.  PofkSes  capacity,  andean  alloniihing  me- 
mory, 


III 


V, 


lavater's   p^ysiosnomt-  153 

jnory,  bnt   I  dlfcover   in  him  nothing  great.     3,  Is  judicious 

without  much  penetration.     ±,  Has  moil  genms  and  grcaieR 
jpowers  of  reafpning^ 


Addition     H, 

To  judge  of  thefe  from  the  form  and  from  the  wi'inkles,  i.  ap- 
pears to  me  the  wlfeft  of  the  foiin  2.  Is  more  energetic,  more 
penetrating,  more  firm,  but  he  is  ahnoil  ioo  raiionaL  3.  Is  a  cba- 
rafter  of  brafs,  polTeffing  lefs  refiedlion,  and  more  force  than  the 
two  preceding.  He  does  not  eafily  yield  to  imprefiioiis,  he  refifls 
them  long,  he  diftrijits  them  ;  but  once  received,  they  are  never  to 
be  efFaced.  Let  him  then  take  gpod  heed  how  he  adopts  an  idea, 
and  be  fure  that  he  is  fufficiently  afcertained  of  its  trath  ! 
Feeling  and  experience  ati:ra6t  m?  in  preference  to  4.  Purity, 
generofity,  ferenity,  tranquillity,  and  gentlenefs  ;  he  pofleffes 
all  thefe,  and,  befides,  an  afFeilionate  chara£ler,  though  in  hi§ 
gtUcbnients  he  will  difcoYcr  more  cojUUocv  thaa  warmth. 


K   4  A©' 


154  lavater's    physiognomy. 


Addition     I. 

Foreheads  fuch  as  tliefe  have  no  real  exilleiice.  Such  a  per- 
pendicularity and  fuch  a  curve  cannot  go  together,  the  one 
ex  dudes  the  other.  Nature,  in  all  her  organizations,  rejeds 
ftraight  lines  :  they  are  no  where  to  be  found,  and  as  the  progref- 
fion  of  a  curve  they  imply  a  contradi6lion.  The  contour  jT,  is 
the  mod  fhocking  of  the  fix.  a,  Juftvbegins  to  enter  into  the 
order  of  poflible  beings,  but  the  others  gradually  depart  from  it. 
The  more  a  forebe^.d  diah  approach  one  of  thefe  forms,  the  more 
deflitute  fuch  a  pcrfon  will  be  of  warmth  and  imagination  :  it 
neceiTarily  fuppofes  a  Huggifh  imderftanding  and  a  temperament 
of  ice.  , 

"What  a  difference  between  all  thefe  firfb  five  foreheads  and  No. 
6 1  How  natural  this  laft  is  !  How  much  it  puts  us  at  cur  eafe  \ 
For  whatever  deviates  from  Nature  infliits  pain,  >vhereas  we  arc 
always  pleated  and  rendered  happy  by  a  regular  form.  The  one 
before  us  does  not  rife  to  fuperiority,  but  it  denotes  a  clear  and 
found  judgment,  produdlive  force,  the  gifts  of  reflexion  and 
clot^uence,  ' 


Ad 


5-AyATER's     PHYSIOGNOMY.  I55 


Additon     K. 

From  uto  7.  the  frontal  fmiis  gradually  ftrengthens,  and  the 
phyfiognomlcal  expreliion  refaltin<;  from  thefe  cavities  thence  be- 
comes race  and  more  fatal.  Stridlly  fpeakingc,  forehead  i.  may 
be  feiifible,  but  2.  is  evidently  lefs  fo,  and  will  never  form  any  but 
imperfed:  or  confufed  ideas.  3.  Is  a  little  better  than  2  ;  and  4. 
would  be  fuperlor  to  3.  if  it  floped  more  backward.  5.  Is  under 
the  dominion  of  that  fpecics  of  obflinacy  which  is  peculiar  to 
mental  imbecility,  and  this  defedl  becomes  ftill  more  glaring  in 
Nos.  6,  and  7. 

With  ever  fo  moderate  a  fhare  of  inftm£t,  of  ta6t  and  experi- 
ence, after  the  ilighteft  ftudy  of  the  forms  and  llyle  of  Nature,  It 
mud  be  evident,  beyond  the  poifibillty  of  doubt,  that  with  fore- 
heads fimilar  to  thefe,  the  refl  of  the  face  is  completely  irregular 
and  difgufling. 


Ad* 


JJ^  JLAVATER's     FHYSlOGNO?klT» 


Addition    1L> 

Yon  may  believe  me  on  my  word,  of  all  tliefe  contours  there  is 
^ot  a  fingle  one  which  can  poffibly  exift  ;  or,  admitting  the  polH* 
bilfty,  it  would  infallibly  imply  the  greateft  mental  weaknefs,  not 
to  fay  complete  imbecility.   Your  own  tad;  mull  have  already  an- 
ticipated or  confirmed  this  declfion  ;  If  not,  make  the  experiment 
for  yom-felf  ;  ran  over  a  thoufand  filhouettes,  ftudy  ten  thoufand 
Foreheads,  (I  have  fludied  thoufands  and  ten  thoufands)  and  yoa 
will  iiaivcrfely  ^nd,  as  I  have  done,  the  uniform  language  of  truth. 
There  may  be  foreheads  fimllar  to  the  five  lafl  from  I  toy;  but 
jiever  will  they    thus  terminate  in  a  point.     Never  have  the  laws 
o  Nature  afFocIated  this  point,  this  rapid  tranfitlon,  with  a  curve 
fj>  decided,  and  whatever  contradicts  Nature,  is  falfeor  ridiculous. 
In  the  foreheads,  d,  e,  f^  the  tranfitlon  to  the  nofe  ought  to  be 
gentle,  and  almort  without  flope.     Obferve,  I  entreat,  the  conca- 
vity of  h^  keep  it  in  memory,  look  for  it,  and  If  ever  you  find 
in  a  perfon  ever  fo  little  dl{l:lngulfiied,name  him,  and  I  will  cheer^ 
fully  fubmit  to  any  punlfhment  you  pleafe  to  inflld. 


Aq. 


ige  is^. 


I 


Pope  257 


Voim. 


^^VATEr's   PHYSIOGNOMY.  I57 


Addition    M. 

All  thefe  forms  are  contrary  to  Nature,  a*  Alone  ftill  refeni- 
IdIcs  it  lel6  oi  raorf  T'.ere  would  be  a  certain  degree  of  dignity 
In  b,  but  fo'-  the  fharp  poiiit  cvhich  terminates  It.  c.  Is  finking  in- 
to obduracy  :  T  ^ou-i  fuppofe  it  poffefied  of  memory,  nay,  even 
of  lagaclty  ;  but  it  is  tqis'I'y  defective  in  the  qualities  of  the 
heart,  a/id  In  the  re^ifoning  pov7ers.  From  d,to  g^  we  have 
frightful  caricatures  of  obitmacy  the  raoft  inflexible. 

Let  us  exhibit  v?  cortraft  an  open  forehead  h,  prompt  at  felz- 
ing  and  unfolding  its  ideas.  I  difcern  In  this  profile  a  gentle  fen- 
iibihty,  but  which  tviil  never  rile  into  a  wild  enthufiafm.  Accu- 
racvj  fa.cliity,  ?'id  a  lumiiious  mind  ;  an  exqulfite  judgment, 
always  fupported  on  good  principles  ;  upright  and  found  reafon, 
which,  'v;tajut  ilifling  the  emotions  of  the  heart,  knows  how  to 
rellrain  tbem  within  proper  bounds— I  promife  torayfelf  all  thefc 
c[uaiities  In  the  original. 


Addition    N. 

The  form  of  the  forehead  determines  the  entire  form  of  the 
face.  This  part  alone  is  fulHcient  to  the  obferver  to  enable  him 
to  frame  n  judgment  of  ti>e  wholt;,  and  to  eftabhfh  his  Induflions. 
Let  the  coatour  of  the  forehead  be  exaftly  defigned,  and  you 
will  fee  at  once  whether  the  reft  .(-  the  profile  is  well  given 
or  :''ot. 

T.  e  filhouettes  i,  2.,  3,  reprefent  tlie  fame  Individual,  but  they 
have  i-^t  Dlcu  trac<id  witS^  equal  accuracy.  Though  I  never  faw 
the  ougm^..  I  bdliev-.j  however,  that,  excepting  the  under  part  of 
|he  nofe^copy  i,  is  the  moil  faithful.     3.  Is  of  a  charader  more 

^unpoli/hed 


IjS  XAVATER's    P  HYSIOGNOM  y, 

unpollllied  and  more  fuperficial  than  2,  and  this  ^gain  is  inferior 
to  i>  as  to  the  traits  adjoining  to  the  mouth. 

There  is  more  continuity  in  No.  l.  Independently  of  a  cer- 
tain child  Ifhiimplicity,  you  find  in  it  precifion,  depths  and  force 
.— notfuch  as  rifes  to  vehemence,  but  that  fpecies  of  force  which 
Is  the  refult  only  of  a  gentle  elafticlty.  The  forehead  a]  one  indi- 
cates a  dehcate  ftruflure^  little  formed  for  impetuous  emotions. 

In  4.  every  thing  announces  elevation.  You  likewife  difcerri 
in  it  a  mind  violent,  refllefs,  ever  aiming  at  bringing  itfelf  forward. 
Of  a  conception  uncommonly  rapid,  he  analyzes  not  his*  ideas 
with  the  coolnefs  of  refiedlion.  Rarely  will  he  caft  a  look  be- 
hind. This  man  has  the  pride  of  great  fouls,  but  he  muft  com- 
bat obllinacy,  and  that  is  a  dilEcult  taflc.  If,  hov^ever,  an  inter- 
efting  obje6l  fhould  happen  to  divert  his  attention,  it  may  be 
in  his  powerj  at  leall^for  lome  moments,  to  bend  his  ilately 
character. 

The  almoll  imperceptible  fmking  of  the  forehead  gives  to  5, 
an  air  more  fevere  and  lefs  traceable.  The  mouth  likewife 
is  more  reafonable,  more  fevere,  and  confecjueutly  lefs  geatle  than 
that  of  No.  4..  V 


Addition     O. 

Four  filhouettes  traced  by  an  unexperienced  hand :  they  rather 
lead  us  to  conjedure  that  thefe  are  extraordinary  perfonages,  than 
announce  that  they  are  fuch.  The  lips  are  all  fadly  maimed,  and 
for  that  reafon  the  expreffion  of  them  is  either  vague,  or  mean. 
Thefe  phyfionomies,  which,  by  the  way,  lam  not  acquainted 
with,  are  very  judicious,  replete  with  ferenity,  franknefs,  and 
redlitude, 

4.  Is  a  noble  fellow.  In  every  fenfe  of  the  word  :  his  features 
form  the  greateft  contrail  with  i,  but  this  difference  is  by  no 

means 


"^q^ei^S. 


Voim. 


9  7'> 


To^eisg 


VolM. 


LAVATEr's     PHrslOGHOMY.  IJ9 

tHeans  to  the  difadvantage  of  the  latter ;  he  Is  indeed  lefs  enter- 
prifing  than  the  other,  but  he  inveftigates  objedls  more  pro* 
foundly,  and  analyzes  them  better.  Though  the  nofe  of  2.  is 
certainly  defe6live  In  point  of  defign,  it  difplays,  however,  ex- 
treme delicafy  of  fenfe  and  judgment.  I  would  choofe  the  3. 
in  preference,  for  my  counfellor  ;  and,  In  affairs  of  importance, 
would  carefully  fhun  whatever  was  not  fan6iioned  by  his  appro- 
bation. Thefe  are  the  perfons  who  deferve  a  place  in  the  cabinets 
of  princes.  With  fuch  guides  it  is  fcarcely  poflible  to  fall  luto 
very  grofs  imprudence. 


Addition  F. 

I  am  going  to  prefent  to  my  readers  different  profilesof  one 
of  the  greatefl  men  of  the  age  we  live  in  ;  and  thefe  copies  will 
furnifh  an  interefllng  text  for  my   phyfiognomical   remarks  on 
the   forehead  and  occiput.     My  commentary  was  compofed  a 
confiderable   time  ago,  but  previoufly  to  publication  I  had  an 
ardent  delire  of  perfonal  acquaintance  with  him  v/ho  is  thefubjeft 
of  it.     I  at  length  obtained  this  fatisfaftlon  In  Augufl  1785,  and 
am  indebted  for  it  to  the  Count  de  Reufs  and  his  lady.     I  was 
perfuaded  beforehand  that  I  (hould  difcover  in  the  original  many 
things  which,  to  no  purpofe,  I  looked   for   in   his  portrait ;  a 
Tariety  of  details  which  efcape  even  painters  the  mod  celebrated 
for  their  ililll  in  taking  likenefTes.     My  conjedures  have  been 
completely  jufllfied.     How  is  it  pollible  to  reproduce,  by  the 
pencil  or  the  graver,   and  efpeclally  in   bufls,    a  tall  flature, 
complete,  and  homogeneous  in  all  its  parts — the  noble  fmipliclty 
of  his  deportment — his  ftep  firm,  but  light  and  eafy — the  duUcy 
complexion,  without  being  pale,  which  may  be  denominated  ths 
colour  of  meditation^ — and  that  delicate  carnation  which  belongs 
cxclufively   to  the  Th'inhr  !  I  muft  father  pafs  over  in  filence 
whatever  was  expreflive  and  fignificant  in  Mr.  Bonnet^s  manner  of 
receiving  me  ;  for  it  Is  of  that  gentleman  I  fpeak.     It  is  with 
the  portraits  of  this  illuftrlous  fcholar,  as  with  all  thofe  of  fupe- 
rlor  men  ;  a  llkenefs  is  dlftinguifhabk,  though  the  ref^mblance  be 
imperfedj 


i66  •    LAVATEr's    PHYsioGNOMY, 

The  four  portraits  which  we  are  going  to  examine  have  al/ i 
fund  of  good-nature  and  refledion.  In  the  filhouette,  which^ 
however,  is  far  from  being  perfectly  exacl,  the  forehead  is  expref- 
fed  with  the  greateft  truth  ;  it  iliews  moll  diitinftly  the  Analytical 
Thinker. 

I  cannot  fay  fo  much  of  the  profile,  No.  6,  which  is  the  recent 
production  of  a  friend  particularly  attached  to  Mr.  Bonnet.  It 
is  poflible  that  the  copy  may  have  loll  more  or  lefs  in  the  hands 
of  the  engraver;  but  as  it  was  etched  after  the  drawing  itfelf, 
the  principal  form  cannot  have  been  greatly  altered.  This  one  is, 
however,  too  much  lengthened,  and  from  that  very  circumftance 
does  not  do  juftice  to  the  penetration  of  the  original.  Notwith- 
ftanding  this  fault,  I  declare,  in  preference,  for  this  head,  as  far 
as  the  occiput  is  concerned,  though  this  p?.rt,  after  all,  is  not  fuiS- 
ciently  fhaded.  Cover  every  thing  belonging  to  the  face,  properly 
fo  called  ;  fliev/  to  the  phyiionomift  that  occiput  only — -he  will  not 
hefitate  an  inllant  to  afcribe  to  it  an  immenfe  capacity.  He  will 
not  be  aftonifhed,  at  lead  he  will  not  contradict  you,   if  you  fay, 

*  Here  is  a  fphere  of  ideas   clear,  diftin«3:,   and  well  arranged, 

*  which  no  other  organization  is  capable  of  embracing,  or  even 
'  of  meafurlng.  There  is  that  imrnenfe  nvaltitude  of  ideas  neither 

*  confafion,  nor  oppolit'on.     The  vaft  productions  of  that  mind 

*  bear,  both  in  the  combined  whole,  and  in  each  part,  the  imprcfs 

*  of  clearnefs,  of  exaftnefs,  and  precinon»    Few  men  unite,  as  he 

*  does,  fo  much. penetration,  knowledge  fo  exteniivc;  and  fuch  powers 

*  of  arrangement-— ihrtG  qualities  which  fo  rarely  meet,  or  which 

*  are  fcarcely  ever  to  be  found  in  iufl  proportion.  This  head  con- 

*  tains  the  gem  of  twenty -four  volumes  of  philofophy,  through 

*  the  whole  which  runs  the  fame  fpirit  of  clearnefs,   profundity, 

*  and  harmony.' 

No  one  has  feen  Bonnet  who  has  not  feen  his  fcull.  On  account 
of  this  part  alone,  a  head  fo  extraordinary,  fo  unique,  dcferves  to 
be  modelled  in  plailler,  and  placed  in  everj'^  academy.  Nothing 
more  would  be  wanting  to  reconcile  to  our  fcience  the  moil  ob- 
ftinate  unbelievers — for  it  is  an  admitted  point,  that  Haller  per- 
haps excepted,  it  would  be  difficult  to  produce  the  example  of  a 

genius 


LAVATEa's     PHYSIOGMOMY.  i6i 

genius  pofiefTed  of  the  prodigious  extent  and  unJverfallty  of  Bon- 
net—and it  is  equally  certain,  that  a  fcuU  like  his  is  a  phenomenoa 
altogether  as  rare  ashimielf,  perhaps  unparalleled.  What  an  advan- 
tage to  phyfiognomy,  or,  which  amounts  to  the  fame  thing,  to 
the  philofophic  and  praftical  knowledge  of  man,  if  an  able  ma- 
thematician fhould  acquire  the  power  of  indicating  and  of  elh- 
mating  all  the  gradations,  of  which  the  curve,  of  which  the  arch 
of  the  occiput  is  fufceptible,  from  heads  the  mod  fublime,  dowa 
to  the  moft  ordinary  and  moft  dellitute  of  fenfe  I 

I  mufl  fubjoin  a  fewobfervatlons  on  the  forepart  of  the  profile. 
Whether  it  be  the  fault  of  the  defigner  or  engraver,  whether  they 
muft  divide  my  cenfure  between  them,  or  whether  both  are  blame- 
lefs,  it  is  neverthekfs  certain,  that  the  face  has  fcarcely  a  refem- 
blance,  and  that  it  abfolutely  preferves  nothing  of  the  charafier  of 
the  original.  Neither  has  this  character,  I  adm.it,  been  perfe^y 
expreffed  in  the  following  bulls;  it  appears  however  in  them  toa 
certain  degree. 

Meditatian  and  good-nature  are  the  two  fundamental  traits  of 
Mr.  Bonnet's  phyfionomy,  and  I  here  perceive  neither  the  one  nor 
the  other.  The  eye  Is  nothing  lefs  than  meditative;  it  is  to  tiie 
lad  degree  difcordant  with  the  occiput.  The  whole  feftion  from 
the  upper  lip  to  the  neck,  is  too  much  rounded,  not  fulEciently 
fhaded  ;  the  fpirit  and  foul  have  been,  if  I  may  ufe  theexpreffion, 
effaced  ;  there  are  no  remains  of  inginulty,  precifion,  or  delicacy. 
The  tranfition  from  the  forehead  to  the  npfe  has  even  coiitra^ted 
a  mean  air,  abfolutely  incompatible  with  a  phyfionomy  in  which, 
every  thing  is  fimplicity,  harmony,  and  homogenity,  I  repeat  it, 
and  every  day  1  renew  my  complaint,  there  are  few  defigners  and 
painters  really  phyfionomifts,  who  underfland  how  to  fill  their 
minds  with  the  character  of  a  great  man,  and  to  concentrate  that 
charadter  in  his  portrait. 

This  harmony  of  the  whole,  which  is  the  very  thing  that  con- 
ftitutes  the  beautiful  in  nature,  is  almoft  always  mified  in  works  of 
art.    The  moft  generally  known,  and  bell  executed  portrait  of 

Mr. 


l62  XAVATER's    PHYSIOGNJOMYc 

Mr.  Bonnet,  is  tliat  of  Juel,  which  I  have  feen  in  the  ffudy  of  our 
philofopher,  and  which  is  engraved  as  a  frontifpiece  to  the  great 
edition  of  his  works. 

The  produ6lion  certainly  merits,  on  maioy  accounts,  jiiil  com, 
mendation.  I  admire  its  noble  firnplicity,  the  fpirit  of  refiedlion 
and  meditatTon  which  the  painter  has  difFufed  over  the  whole  fi- 
gure, and  which  extends  even  to  the  extremities  of  the  fingers,  fo 
that  you  can  fay  wi'liout  aftedation,  and  the  hand  meditates  as 
well  as  the  head.  I  have  likewife  with  pleafure  found  in  this  pic- 
ture the  man  in  whom  an  undeviating  attention  feems  to  be  the 
mother  of  genius ;  but  on  carefully  comparing  the  original  with  the 
copy,  we  immediately  perceive,  in  the  latter,  m.any  imperfections 
more  eafi'y  felt  than  indicated.  I  Ihall  not  dwell  on  the  almoll 
unpardonable  faUit  of  foie-fliorteningthe  waift,  when  the  portrait 
is  painted  the  fize  of  nature  j  fore  fhortening,  which  always  gives 
to  the  figure  a  childifh  exterior,  and  an  air  of  littlenefs.  I  fpeak 
only  of  ihQ  forehead^  and  of  certain  flight  {hades  infinitely  fignifi- 
cant,  which  our  artiits  mercilefsly  lacrifice  to  I  know  not  what 
imaginary  decorum,  in  contem.pt  ci  the  rules  of  nature,  who  fo  well 
obferves  decency  in  every  thing.  The  feat  of  meditation  is  evi- 
dently fixed  between  the  eye-brows  :  that  Is  its  true  find  only 
place.  Is  it  a  void  ?  Then  pretended  meditation  is  nothing  but 
vain  grimace,  or,  at  beft,  an  affair  of  memory. 

Long  before  I  got  acquainted  with  Mr.  Bonnet,  I  w^as  certain, 
as  certain  as  it  is  pcflible  to  be  of  what  we  have  not  feen,  that  I 
fhould  difcover  in  this  part  of  his  face  the  traces  of  concentration  ; 
and,  in  effedl,  the  fearch  did  not  coft  me  much  trouble. 

Let  me  now  add  fome  remarks  on  the  profiles  of  the  large  print. 
There  is  m.uch  truth  in  both,  and  they  are  not  unw^orthy  of  that 
fingular  man,  who,  for  juftnefs,  clearnefs,  fertility,  order,  and 
combination  of  ideas,  has  not  perhaps,  his  equal.  It  would  be  a 
proof  of  weaknefs  to  imagine,  that  this  phyfionomy  could  be  that 
of  a  contracted  being. 

The 


Tage  26'^ . 


WM. 


Fag^  ^7ii. . 


voi.m. 


A  A 

^  2 


<D>         !    ^<S> 


^[^ 


o^-rv 


<3; 


YV7 


^ 


^-M- 


:^^-. 


Vi^ette 


^ 


213 


Faxje  as]^^. 


TolM. 


2 


L  A  V  A  T  E  R  ^  £    ?  H  Y  S  I  O  G  N  0  IvI  Y.  163 

The  calmnefs  of  wifdom,  a  gentle  philofophy,  employed  in 
the  fearch  of  truth,  and  indefatigably  purfuing  its  objefl:,  a 
ilrength  of  mind  which  permits  nothing  to  efcape,  and  undif- 
turbed  by  an  impetuous  ardor— all  this  muft  flrike  us  in  thefe 
two  heads  ;  here  it  is  impoffibie  not  to  difcover  the  Thinker. 
That  of  the  madelHon  feems  to  have  more  ingenuity,  and  at  the 
fame  time,  a  more  mafculine  charafter,  than  the  portrait  No. 
6;  but  this  laft  is  better  Ihaded,  and  more  expreffive :  it  de- 
notes greater  facility  of  ideas,  and  confequently  a  richer  fund. 

The  contour  of  profile  i  has  moft  firmnefs,  ingenuity  and  ex- 
a6lnefsj  but  the  form  of  the  head,  by  being  rather  too  much 
fhortened,  has  not  all  the  delicacy  of  profile  2,  which,  taken  for  all 
in  all,  is  probably  the  befl:  likenefs  of  the  four.  I  conclude  this 
addition,  by  expreffing  a  wifli,  that  all  who  pronounce  the  name 
of  Bonnet,  may  underfland  how  to  prize  the  infinite  merit  of 
that  refpeftable  fchular.  As  a  philofopher,  I  boldly  place  him 
between  Leibnitz  and  Wolff — as  a  naturaliU,  between  Haller 
and  Buffon — as  a  writer,  between  Montefquieu  and  Roul-'eau. 
Happy  the  man  who  fhall  equal  him  in  goodnefs  of  heart,  ia 
iimplicity  of  manners,  in  purity  of  virtue. 

-    Addition  Q. 

If  there  be  the  fmalleft  incorreftnefs  in  the  delineation  of  thc^ 
form,  if  the  harmony  be  ever  io  little  difturbed,  it  is  excellively 
difficult  to  judge  of  the  face.  It  is  this  form,  it  is  this  harmony, 
it  is  the  matching  and  connexion  of  all  the  parts,  which  confli- 
tute  the  beauty  of  the  whole,  and  confequently  alfo  the  merit  of 
the  defign — and  yet  moft  artifrs  flightly  pafs  over  all  this.  You 
have  here  the  fiinie  face  prefented  in  four  different  pofitions. 
On  the  fuppofition  that  one  of  thefe  copies  is  exaft,  it  neceffar  ly 
follows,  that  the  other  three  are  not  fo,  though  they  all  preferve 
a  fimdamental  refemblance,  and  each  announces  a  good  and  ge- 
nerous charader.  One  of  two  things  mud  be  true  ;  either  that 
the  look  of  the  original  fays  nothing,  or,  what  is  more  probable, 
niat  the  eye  of  the  defigner  is  good  for  nothing,  that  he  has  bad- 


i64  IaVater's    ph  ^s  iog  nom  ir. 

jy  obferved,  badly  apprehended,  and  badly  expi-elTed  his  model — ' 
for  fhe  three  laii  faces  of  the  feries  have  eyes  and  fee  not,  a  fault 
but  too  common  ;  and  yet  forehead  2  feems  to  promife  exprefTivc 
eyes.  Is  it  credible,  that  I  perceive  tn  i,  more  of  truth  and  eii- 
ergv,  than  in  the  other  three  together  ?  You  mufl  not  pretend 
to  have  thoroughly  inveftigatfd  a  face,  till  you  have  ftudied  it  in 
at  leafi  thefe  four  different  fituations.  Now  of  all  pofTible  atti- 
tudes, no  one  is  more  pofitive,  lefs  vague,  and  lefs  liable  to  illa- 
fion,  than  that  Vvhich  difplays  from  behind  the  exterior  contour 
of  the  forehead,  the  cheek  bone,  and  the  extremity  of  the  nofe. 
There  is  lefs  foul',  and  lefs  found  fenfe,  in  faces  2,  5,  4,  united, 
than  in  i,  taken  feparately. 

Here  let  us  clofe  this  branch  of  our  fubjeft.  A  great  quantity 
of  materials  ftili  prefs  foi  admiffion  into  the  volume,  and  we  fhall 
befides  have  frequent  occaiion  to  refume  the  fubje6t  of  the  fore- 
head, the  profiie,  and  the  form  of  the  face.  I  fatisfy  myfelf  at 
prefent  with  repeating  my  entreaties  to  the  attentive  reader, 
who  attaches  himfelf  feriouflv  to  the  fearch  of  truth,  and  ex- 
pe£is  from  it  his  own  happinefs,  and  that  of  his  fellow  creatures 
— I  exhort  h  m  more  and  more  to  fludy  the  form  of  the  face  in 
geneial,  and  that  of  the  forehead  in  particular:  he  mufl  con- 
iider  thefe  two  objects  as  the  foundation  of  Phyfiognomy,  be- 
caufe  they  admit  not  o^  the  flighted  difguife,  and  affill  us  in  dif= 
coverino;  all  the  reft. 

In  order  to  faril'tate  this  fludy,  I  invented,  feveral  years  ago, 
a  fpecies  oi  fro7ito?netcr^  whofe  object  was  to  determine  the  bafis 
of  tue  forehead,  and  ^onfequcntly  the  fum  of  all  its  rays.  I 
likewife  gave,  in  the  German  edition  of  my  book,  a  defcription 
and  engraving  of  this  machine  ;  but  as  it  is  impodible  either  to 
defcribe  or  draw  it  with  fufficient  accuracy,  to  have  it  executed 
according  to  my  idea,  and  as  in  the  application  it  appeared  to- 
me neither  fafficiently  commodious,  nor  fufficiently  certain,  I 
have  fupprcfTed  the  plate  of  if,  which  I  had  got  engraved  for  the 
French  edition.  The  want  of  it  may  be  fupplied,  meanwhile, 
by  lorrns  of  the  forehead,  moulded  in  plafler,  which  are  eafily 
cat  in  pieces,  aiid  may  afterwards  be  applied  to  paper  for  the 

purpofe 


fageTi4- 


Yol.m. 


i! 


277 


iiy 


lavater's    physiognmy.  J65 

purpofe  of  drawing  them.  I  may  poflibly  indicate,  likewife, 
at  the  end  of  my  work,  a  method  flill  more  limple,  for  de- 
termining the  forms  of  the  face,  and  the  relations  of  the 
forehead. 


CHAP 


z66  latat£r's   physiognomy. 


CHAP.    IV. 

Of  the  Eyes  and  Eyebrows* 

I.  Of  the  Eyes, 

I  can  run  n(f>  ri.^K  in  abridging  a  fubje£l  which  Mr.  de  Buifois 
has  treated  in  a  manner  fo  fuperior,  a  fiibje6l  which  has  already 
occurred  in  more  than  a  hundred  places  of  this  work,  and  which 
I  muft  ftrll  refiime  in  almoft  every  page.  Befides,  no  theories 
can  give  us,  without  drawings,  diftinft  ideas  in  phyfiognomy,  or 
efiablifh  precepts  infallible  in  their  application ;  and,  even, 
though  this  were  the  cafe,  moft  of  our  obfervers  would  always 
prefer  governing  themfeives  by  the  movements  and  pathognomy 
©f  the  eye,  rather  than  form  a  judgment  of  it  from  the  contours^ 
or  from  that  fpecies  of  folidity  which  may  be  adopted  as  a  con- 
traft  to  its  mobility.  In  the  mean  time,  1  prefume  to  flatter  my- 
felfj  that  the  following  fuccin6t  obfervations  will  not  be  altogether 
■Hnlnterefllng  to  the  attenti\  e  reader. 

The  movements  of  the  eye,  be  what  they  may,  are  only  re- 
fulrs  from  its  form,  and  its  fpecific  nature.  When  the  general 
charader  of  the  eye  is  known,  you  may  figure  to  yourfelf  a 
thoufaud  individual  movements,  which  Ihall  be  exclufively  pro- 
per to  it,  in  an  infinite  number  of  given  cafes.  I  will  go  farther, 
and  affirm,  that  its  form  alone,  its  contour,  or  even  a  limple  ex- 
a6t  fedion  of  the  contour,  will  be  fufficient  to  the  intelligent 
phyfionomift,  fully  to  determine  the  phyfical,  moral,  and  intel- 
lecf  ual  chara(fter  of  the  eye. 

I  begin  with  fome  mifcellaneous  obfervations  which  experi- 
ence has  fuggefted  to  me. 

Bhe  eyes  announce  more  weaknefs,  a  chara6ler  fofter  and 
'Kiore  effeminate  than  }ia%el  or  hlack  eyes.     Not  that  you  may  not 

meet 


LAVATER's    PHYSIOGNOMY,  1 67 

meet  with  perfons  very  energetic  who  have  blue  eyes;  but,  iip- 
jon  the  whole,  hazel  eyes  are  the  more  ufual  indication  of  s  mind 
mafcuhne,  vigorous,  and  profound,  juft  as  genius,  properly  (q 
called,  is  almoft  always  aflbciated  with  eyes  of  a  yellowifli  caft 
bordering  on  hazel. 

It  would  be  an  interefling  inquiry,  as  an  exception  to  this  rule, 
Why  blue  eyes  are  fo  rare  in  China  and  in  the  Philippine  ifles; 
why  they  are  to  be  found  only  in  Europeans,  or  Creoles ;  though 
the  Chinefe  are  the  moft  effeminate,  the  mofl  voluptuous, 
the  moft  peaceable,  and  the  moft  indolent  of  all  the  nations  of 
the  globe. 

Choleric  perfons  have  eyes  of  different  colours,  rarely  blue, 
more  frequently  hazel  or  greenifh.  Eyes  of  this  laft  fpecies  are, 
in  fome  fort,  a  diftin£tive  fign  of  vivacity  and  courage. 

I  have  fcldom  found  clear-blue  eyes  in  choleric,  and  fcarceiy 
ever  in  melancholic  perfons.  This  colour  feems  to  be  particu- 
larly attached  to  phlegmatics  who  ftill  preferve  a  fund  of  actir 
vity. 

When  the  border,  or  laft  circular  line  of  the  upper  eye -lid, 
defcribes  a  complete  arch,  it  is  the  mark  of  a  good  difpofition, 
and  of  much  delicacy,  fometimes  alfo  of  a  chara6i:er  timid,  fe<? 
jninine,  or  childilh. 

Eyes  which,  being  open,  or  not  being  comprefTed,  form  a 
lengthened  angle,  acute,  and  pointed,  toward  the  nofe,  pertain, 
if  I  may  venture  to  fay  fo,  excluiively  to  perfons  either  very  ju- 
dicious, or  very  cunning,  if  the  corner  of  the  eye  be  obtufe, 
the  face  has  always  fomething  childifh. 

When  the  eye-lid  draws  itfelf  almoft  horizontally  over  the  eye, 
and  cuts  the  pupil  diametrically,  I  ufually  expeft   a  man   of 
'  much  acutenefs,  extremely  dexterous,  and  of  fuperior  cunning 
\  •—but  I  do  not  mean  to  inlinuate,  that  this  form  of  eye  is  in- 
compatible with  integrity ;  I  have  had  frc(^uent  conviction  of 
\h^  contrary.. 


L 


S  3  Ey«s 


l58  -  lAVATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

Eyes  widely  expanded,  in  which  a  great  deal  of  white  appears 
under  the  piipil,  are  common  to  both  the  phlegmatic  and  the 
choleric  temperaments.  But,  on  making  a  comparifon,  they  are 
eafily  diftinguiihed.  Thofe  of  the  former  are  feeble,  heavy,  and 
vaguely  defigned ;  the  others  are  full  of  fir^,  flrongly  marked, 
and  lefs  floped  :  they  have  eye-lids  more  equal,  fhorter,  but  at 
the  fame  time  not  fo  flefhy. 

Eye-lids  retreating  and  very  much  floped,  for  the  mofl  part 
announce  a  choleric  humour.  You  difcern  in  them  alfo  the  ar- 
tiil  and  the  man  of  tafle.  They  are  rarely  to  be  found  in  wo- 
man, and  are,  at  moft,  referved  for  fuch  females  as  diflinguifh 
themfelves  by  extraordinary  flrength  of  mind  or  judgment. 

*      -x-      -^ 

As  a  fequel  to  thefe  obfervations,  I  fliall  quote  thofe  of  two 
authors,  worthy  on  every  account  to  be  refpeded  as  authorities. 


Mr.    DE    BU^FON. 

'  In  the  eyes,  more  than  in  any  other  feature,  are  depi6led 

*  the  images  of  our  fecret  agitations,  and  there  they  are  chiefly 
'  diflinguilliable.     The  eye  belongs  to  the  foul  more  than  any 

*  other  organ  ;  it  feems  in  perkd  contact  with  it,  and  to  partici- 

*  Date  in  all  its  movements ;  it  expreiTes  paiTions  the  moft  lively, 
'  and  emotions  the  moft  tumultuous,  as  well  as  movements  the 

*  moft  gentle,  and  fentiments  the  moft  delicate ;  it  conveys  them* 
<  all  with  their  force,  with  all  their  purity,  juft  as  they  a  rife; 
<-it  tranfmits  them  with  a  rapiJity  which  inftantly  communicates 
'  to  another  the  fire,  the  action,  the  image  of  that  foul  from 
»  which  they  proceed.     The  eye  receives  and  refle^ls  at  once 

*  the  light  of  thought,  and  the  warmth  of  feeling :    it   is  the 

*  fenfc  of  the  mind,  and  the  tongue  of  intelligence. 

*  The  I 


L  A  V  A  T  E  R  *  S     PHYSIOGNOMY,  1 69 

'  The  mofl:  ufual  colours  of  eyes  a'^e  the  orange  and  the  blue, 
and  moft  frequently  thefe  colours  are  found  in  the  fame  eye. 
The  eyes  which  we  imagine  to  be  black,  are  on^y  of  a  yeilow- 
brown,  or  deep  orange.  To  be  afiured  of  this,  we  have  but 
to  examine  them  nc-arly ;  for  when  you  view  them  at  fome 
diftance,  or  when  they  are  turned  full  on  the  light,  they  ap-. 
pear  black,  becaufe  the  yellow-brown  colour  Ihews  fo  ftrong- 
]y  on  the  white  of  the  eye.  that  we  imagine  it  black  from  its 
oppofition  to  the  white.  Eyes  which  c-re  of  a  yellow  \e(^  up- 
on the  brown,  likewife  pafs  for  black  eves,  but  thev  are  not 
reckoned  fo  beautiful  as  the  others,  becaufe  that  colour  fnews  to 
Jefs  advantage  clofe  to  the  white.  There  are  likewife  eves  yel- 
low and  bright  yel  ow ;  which  do  not  appear  black,  becaufe 
thefe  colours  are  not  deep  enough  to  difappear  in  the  fhade. 
We  very  commonly  fee  in  the  fame  eye  fliades  of  orange,  yel- 
low, grey,  and  blue  :  wherever  there  is  blue,  be  it  ever  fo 
flight,  it  becomes  the  prevailing  colour.  This  colour  appears 
in  filaments  through  the  whole  extent  of  the  iris,  and  the 
orange  is  in  little  flakes  around,  and  at  fome  fmail  diftance 
from  the  pupil :  the  blue  erfaces  this  colour  fo  powerfully,  that 
the  eye  appears  all  blue,  and  we  perceive  no  mixture  of  orange 
but  on  a  very  clofe  infpe6lion.  The  moft  beautiful  eyes  are 
thofe  which  appear  black  or  blue  ;  the  vivacity  and  fire  which 
conflitute  the  principal  charader  of  eye>-  are  more  brilliant  in 
the  deep  colours  than  in  the  half-tintsj  of  colour;  black  eyes, 
therefore,  have  more  force  of  expreifion,  and  more  vivacity, 
but  there  is  moi'e  foftnefs,  and  perhaps  more  delicacy,  in  blue 
eyes.  You  fee  in  the  firft  a  fire  uniformly  brilliant,  becaufe 
the  ground,  which  appears  of  an  uniform  colour,  fends  back 
from  all  points  the  fame  reflexes,  but  we  diiiinguiili  modifica- 
tions in  the  light  which  animates  blue  eye?,  becaufe  there  arc 
feverai  tints  of  colpurs  vvhich  produce  dilferent  reflexes, 

*  There  are  eyes  remarkable,  if  I  may  fay  fo,  for  being  of  no 

*  colour :  they  appear  to  be  compofed  diiferently  from  others  ; 

*  the  iris  has  only  fliades  of  blue  or  g-rev  {o  faint,  that  thev  are 

*  almofl  white  in  fome  places:  the  fhades  of  orange  you  find  in 
^  them  are  fj  flight,  that  you  fcafcely  can  diilinguifii  them  fivra 

*  tke 


170  LAVATERS     PHYSIOGNOMY. 

*  the  grey  and  the  white,  notvvifhftanding  the  contrail  of  thefe 
^  colours;  the  black  o^the  pupil  is  in  this  cafe  too  marked,  be- 
*•  caufe  the  colour  of  the  iris  is  not  deep  enough — nothing  is  vifi- 

*  ble,  fo  to  fpeak,  but  the  pupil  ifolated  m  the  middle  of  the 
'  eye.  Such  eyes  fay  nothing,  and  their  look  appears  fixed  or 
'  wild. 

'  There  are  likewife  eyes,  the  colour  of  whofe  iris  borders  ori 
'  green  ;  this  colour  is  more  uncommon  than  the  blue,  the  grey, 
'  the  yellow,  and  the  yellow-brown  :  there  are  likew  fe  to  be 
'  found  perfons  whofe  eyes  are  not  of  the  fame  colour.  This 
'  variety  of  the  colour  of  eyes  is  peculiar  to.  the  human  fpecies, 
«  to  that  of  the  horfe,  &c.' 


II. 

WiNCKELMANN. 

Hifiory  cf  Ancient  Art.     Tom.  II.  p.   134, 

*  The  form  of  the  eyes  differs  in  the  works  of  art,  as  in  the 
produftions  of  nature.  In  the  images  of  divinities,  and  in 
ideal  heads,  it  differs  to  fucn  a  degree^  that  the  eyes  are  their 
charafteriftic  features.     In  the  heads  of  Jupiter,  Apollo,  and 

'  Juno,  the  cut  of  the  eye  is  large  and  rounded ;  it  is  of  lefs  than 
ufual  length,  in  order  to  give  greater  majeliy  to  the  arch  which 

'  crowns  it.     Minerva,  in  like  manner,  has  large  eyes,  but  the 

*  eye-lids  are  brought  down  over  them,  in  order  to  give  her 

*  look  a  virgin  air.  Venus,  on  the  contrary,  has  little  eyes  :  the 
'  under  eye-lid,  drawn  upward,  characterizes  that  grace,  and 
'  that  languor,  which  the  Greeks  calUypv  {humid).     By  eyes 

*  of  this  nature  the  Venus-Urania  is  diftinguiilied  from  Juno* 
'  Hence  it  is,  that  thofe  who  have  not  made  this  obfervation, 
'  have  taken  the  Venus-Celeftis  for  a  Juno,  and  the  more  readi- 

*  ly  that  both  are  reprefented  with  a  diadem.  Several  modern 
'  artifls,  who  meant,  no  doubt,   to  furpafs  the  ancients  in  this 

*  feature,  have   imagined  that  they  were  expreffing  the  Bo«7r/j 

[ox-eyed) 


I^AVATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMY,  I71 

{ox-eyed)  of  Homer,  by  giving  fuch  a  prominency  to  the  globe 
of  the  eye,  that  it  feems  ftarting  from  the  focket.  The  mo- 
dern head  of  the  pretended  Cleopatra  in  the  Villa  de  Medicis, 
has  eyes  of  this  kind  :  the  eyes  of  that  head  have  a  ftrong  re- 
femblance  to  thofe  of  a  llrangled  perfon.  A  fculptor  of  our 
own  day  appears,  however,  to  have  taken  thefe  very  eyes  as 
his  model,  in  executing  his  flatue  of  the  virgin,  placed  in  the 
church  of  St.  Carlo  al  Cor/o  at  Rome,' 


LECTURE 


LECTURE    XI. 


ADDITIONS 

TO  SECTION  I.  OF  CHAPTER  IV- 
A.  A, 

-  Contours  of  Eyes, 

In  the  fimple  outlines  of  plate,  A.  A.  the  expreffion 
varies  from  repofe  the  moft  immoveable,  from  icy  coldnefs,  to 
the  moft  violent  excefs  of  rage  and  fury ;  not  one  of  thefe  eyes, 
however,  is  natural.  They  will  not  be  confounded  undoubtedly 
with  any  other  part  of  the  face,  they  may  be  guefied  at  by  re- 
femblances  and  approximations ;  but  never  will  theconnoifTeur 
take  them  for  exaft  copies  of  the  human  eye ;  they  are  mere 
rough-draughts  at  beft.  i.  Prefents  a  total  nullity.  2.  Hasan 
air  of  innocence.  3  and  4.  are  probably  attempts  to  exhibit  the 
fundamental  lines  of  an  aftonilhment  blended  with  fear.  5.  Is 
the  imperfed  image  of  profound  forrow  feeking  to  vent  itfelf. 
In  6.  an  attempt  is  made  to  reprefent  the  hori'or  of  fear,  and  ir^ 
7.  the  horror  of  rage.     8.  Is  a  demoniac. 

Let  us  take  a  moment's  relief  by  contemplating  the  eye  of  the 
vignette,  in  which  fhine  forth  the  foul  and  genius  of  one  of  our 
German  poets. 


ADDl 


lavater's  physiognomy.       ^         171 

addition  b.  b. 

Eyes. 

There  is  not  a  fingle  one  of  thefe  which  you  would  afcribe  io 
an  idiot  or  a  madman. 

I. 

Appears  to  me  infinitely  judicious,  and  of  determined  refolu- 
tion,  not  to  fay  more.  This  is  the  eye  of  a  hero,  though  the 
angle  is  too  fhort,  too  much  blunted,  and  the  contour  of  the  un- 
der eye-lid  too  feebly  exprefled. 

If. 

I  remark  lefs  elevation  of  foul  in  this,  which  perhaps  fuppofes 
more  precipitation  than  perfevering  firmnefs ;  it  is  like  wife  more 
paffionatc,  more  eafily  m.oved  than  the  preceding  :  and  the  eye- 
brow, befides  that  it  is  incorrectly  drawn,  is  not  fuiSiciently  ex- 
prcflive. 

in.  .- 

In  all  the  eyes  of  this  plate,  and  efpecially  in  3,  we  muft  nor 
reckon  the  under  contour  as  nothing,  the  defign  of  which  is 
vague  and  timid.  That  excepted,  this  eye  is  replete  with  bold- 
nefs  and  dignity.  Its  look  will  feize  obje^s  promptly,  and  with 
accuracy,  but  will  not  penetrate  them  to  the  bottom. 


IV. 

Is  the  moft  pafTionate  of  all ;  it  likewife  furpafles  all  the  reft 
in  haughtinefs,  courage,  and  pretenfion, 

V. 


:74  latater's  physiognomy. 


The  inteniive  force  of  this   eye  is  cramped  within  narrow 
limits,  and  I  fliould  be  tempted  to  call  it  Vi  force  of  execution* 


VI. 


Paffion  feems  more  or  lefs  to  miflead  it :  he  is  halting  betweem 
genius  and  folly. 

The  eyebrows  in  general  are  neither  exa6t,  nor  natural,  nor 
phyfiognomical. 


Addition  C.  C. 

Thefe  eyes  are  of  a  different  charafter ;  at  the  fame  time 
they  are  defective  in  precifion  and  truth. 

I. 

The  eyebrows  form  a  fhocking  contraft  with  the  eyes.  Thefe 
bear  the  imprefs  of  genius :  thofe  have  no  fignification  what= 
ever.  ^ 


II. 

The  look  polTefles  a  confummate  prudence.  Thefe  are  the  eyes 
of  a  fenator,  or  of  a  minifter  of  ilate,  who  plunges  into  political 
calculation,  who  attracts  or  repels  men  in  a  decifive  manner, 
who  frequently  overwhelms  them,  but  who,  take  him  for  all  in 
all,  is  a  perfon  effential  to  the  poil  he  fills.  Aiming  at  the  en- 
joyment of  every  thing,  he  enjoys  nothing,  becaufe  he  has  not 
the  art  of  gaining  affeflion.  The  nofe  likewife  is  in  perfed^ 
harmony  with  the  eyesj  and  difcovers  no  lefs  wifdom. 


PaS^^l- 


Vt/LML 


282 


I-AVater's  Physiognomy. 


i'j7 


III. 


Is  rather  a  fketch  than  a  finiflied  drawing.  Such  eyes  can  be= 
long  only  to  the  face  of  a  young  girl ;  they  are  incapable  of  at- 
tention, without  expreflion,  without  an  obje6l,  and  without  a. 
plan. 


ly. 


This  eye  is  that  of  a  very  promifing  young  man.  Hie 
juft  and  rapid  look  will  embrace  every  thing,  and  he  will  certain- 
ly fucceed  in  the  imitations  of  art. 


Addition  D.  D, 

Contours  of  Eyes, 

Eyebrows  fo  wild,  and  at  the  fame  time  difcovering  fo  muck 
•f  the  mannerift,  are  wholly  out  of  nature. 

The  eyes  too  want  calmnefs  and  gentlenefs,  but  you  remark  in 
them  an  extraordinary  force,  or,  at  leaft,  pretenfions  to  that  force. 


III. 

Is  the  moft  ferene,  the  moll  profound,  approaches  neareft  to 
venius ;  he  will  never  undertake  any  thing  inconliderately ;  rare- 
ly will  he  be  miftaken  in  his  conjectures  ;  you  mufl  lay  your  ac- 
count more  frequently  with  his  cenfure  than  his  approbation. 

Neither  is  i,  a  man  on  whom  yoii  can  eafily  impofe,  unlefs  his 
imagination  be  heated  by  his  uncommon  vivacity.  He  will  de- 
cide promptly,  but  1  would  not  greatly  depend  on  his  perfever- 
ance ;  his  glance,  lefs  refleding  than  3,  has  fo  much  the  more 
penetration. 

The 


ty6  L  A-V  A  T  E  R  *S   P  H  Y  S  I  0  G  N  O  M  Y 

The  exceffively  blunt  corner  of  the  eyes  excepted,  2  is  certiin- 
ly  a  g'-eat  man,  refpeaable  for  his  prudence,  for  his  manner  of 
tiiinking,  for  his  courage,  and  for  his  adtivity. 


IV. 


!f  he  is  inferior  to  him  in  wifdom,   he,  perhaps,  merits  the 
preference,  in  refpeft  of  moderation  and  generofity. 


V, 


Is,  with  the  fame  degree  of  goodnefs,  more  weak,    and  his 
want  of  energy  renders  him  fufpicious. 


vt. 
Is  more  energetic  than  4  and  5,  more  contrafted  than  7,  2,  3* 

VII. 

Imperious  and  paffionate,  is  not  governed  by  true  wifdom, 
and  yet  I  would  not  hold  him  up  as  of  middling  underftanding, 
Hill  lefs  as  an  idiot  :  he  domineers,  without  having  any  thing  im- 
pofing  :  he  will  make  himfelf  feared,  at  moll,  by  his  violence. 


VIII. 


A  noble  and  magnanimous  chara<?cer  ;  that  clear  and  piercing 
look  iuppofcs  much  order,  preclfion,  and  application ;  a  mind 
which  carries  all  it  undertakes  to  the  hie;helr  decree  of  exadnefs 
and  perfedion. 


Addi- 


LAVATER'S    PHYSIOdKOM^o  57*7' 


Addition  E.  E. 

Though  I  cannot  anfwer  for  the  perfeA  corre6lnefs  of  defign, 
i  pledge  myfejf,  however,  that  all  thefe  eyes  are  much  above  the 
common. 


I* 

Sparkles  with  wit  and  malice :  it  is  lively  and  ardent,  and  can 
be  placed  in  the  head  only  of  an  extraordinary  man>  fertile  in 
forming  plans,  and  dexterous  in  executing  them. 


II. 


From  that  chara(fl:er  of  greatnefs,  dignity,  and  fuperiority,  I 
would  pronounce  this  to  be  the  general  of  an  army,  of  iiluftri- 
ous  birth  and  diilinguiflied  merit. 


III. 

The  vigorous  glance  of  this  eye  fixes  its  mark  and  hits  iti 
Prompt  in  feizing  the  furface  of  objects,  this  man  is  no  lefs  exa6l 
in  penetrating  them,  and  fearching  them  to  the  bottom.  He  will 
not  fufFer  himfelf  to  be  ealiJy  impofed  upon. 


IV. 

I  would  allow  to  this  moft  enlargement  of  mind,' moll  magna- 
nimity and  firmnefs :  he  rules  without  arrogance,  with  the  noble 
limplicity  which  his.  native  energy  infpires. 


Addi- 


l^t  lAVAtER's      PH  YSIOGNOMY*, 


Addition.  F.  F, 

1.  and  4.  Are  two  different  drawings  of  the  fame  eye.  2.  and 
%,  Prefent  the  eyes  of  the  fame  head,  viewed  in  front.  This  look 
is  uncommonly  luminous :  it  flailies  like  lightning,  but  it  paifes 
away  as  quickly,  and  only  glances  on  its  objedl.  It  is  impoffible 
for  it  to  fix,  neverthelefs  it  will  perceive  in  its  rapidity  what  a 
thoufand  others  will  hardly  catch,  by  employing  the  clofeft  atten- 
tion. The  happieft  inftinft  dire£ls  it  in  its  obfervations  and  de- 
cifions ;  but  it  is  not  fufceptible  of  that  refle6ling  caimnefs,  of 
that  conftant  and  perfevering  affeftion  which  ferious  and  pro- 
found meditation  requires.  The  eyebrow  bears  the  fame  cha- 
ra6ler  :  you  difcern  in  it  a  fpirit  lefs  accu domed  to  feek  than  to 
find,  prompt  to  feize  and  to  communicate  ideas. 

Profile  I.  is  more  judicious  than  4.  becaufe  it  has  the  appear- 
ance of  being  fomewhat  more  tranquil. 

The  eyes  No.  5.  5.  difcover  a  folid  thinker,  who  will 
be  in  no  hurry  to  a6l,  but  who,  if  occafion  require,  will 
know  how  to  force  his  way,  and  give  proof  of  his  intrepidity.  In 
thefe  eyebrows  there  is  more  vivacity,  more  vigour,  and  dignity^ 
than  in  the  preceding. 


Addition   G.  G. 


I. 


You  difcover  in  thefe  eyes  a  bold  a^ivity,  a  {eA\{e  of  fuperiori-^ 
ty,  vivacity,  a  manly  and  determined  fpirit,  a  greatnefs  and  dig- 
nity cf  foul  which  frequently  rife  to  th«  fublime  ;  which  at  the 
fame  moment,  in  the  fame  adion,  in  the  fame  word,  and  the  fame 
look,  combines  the  iiighell  degree  of  fimplicity  and  energy.  The 

ron- 


Vage'xjS. 


Vol.m. 


283 


Fnqt  yp. 


YolM. 


%  -  "'^m 


Xiiie'  Eyes 


lavater's  Physiognomic.  279 

eoritoiir  of  the  under  eyelid  is  not  fufficiently  bold,  and  c.onf?der- 
ably  weakens  the  whole  of  the  character  which  we  have  jiift 
traced. 


It. 


Copied  after  a  Cupid  by  Mengs.  Nothing  can  be  more  ad- 
mirable than  the  flrufture,  and  the  arch  of  thefe  eyes:  there  is 
no  interruption,  no  unnatural  curve,  no  difproportion.  Every 
thing  here  fuggefts  the  thoughtleflhefs  of  early  youth  :  ferious 
proje6ls  and  meditations  are  banilhed  from  that  look,  it  breathes 
nothing  but  fenfuality ;  it  is  a  faithful  pi6lure  of  the  individual. 


III. 

In  examining  this  you  difcern  in  the  ecflafy,  more  of  lefs  con- 
vulfive,  of  I.  a  penetrating  fpirit,  a  character  affectionate  and 
impaflioned.  2.  ooks  carelefsly  forward;  it  is  artlefs  and  un* 
afFeded,  but,  at  the  fame  time,  almoft  deftitute  of  foul. 


Addition  H.  H. 

Let  us  characterize,  in  two  words,  the  eyes  of  the  annexed 
plate. 


I. 


Force,  candor,  and  goodnefs.  If  we  pay  attention  to  the  en- 
ergy v;hich  the  eyebrow  promife?,  we  ihall  find  that  the  con- 
tours, and  efpecially  the  interior  contours,  are  almofl  too  feeble. 
This  eye,  without  beir^  the  eye  of  genius,  is  capable  of  found 
obfervation. 


He 


280  LATATER'S     PHTSIOGNOMY, 


ir. 


The  upper  part  is  more exprefli^e  than  the  under,  and  theob- 
tufeangle  of  the  corner  forms  a  contrail  with  the  under  part  of 
the  upper  eyehd. 


III. 

Furnifhes  me  with  the  fame  remark,  and  fuggefts  the  idea  of 
7^\  energetic  fool y  of  a  man  of  lofty  preten  lions,  but  not  deflitute 
of  charader,  and  whofe  vigor  is  not  reflrained  by  wifdom. 


IV. 


Loves,  believes,  hopes,  and  fuffers :  he  has  the  power  of  coa- 
centrating  different  facuhies  toward  one  and  the  fame  point. 


V. 


Rapidly  illuminates  ev^ry  objecl  ,•  every  thing  lingular  ftrikes 
him,  he  feizes  every  thing  with  facility,  he  gives  to  each  its  true 
name,  and  affigns  it  proper  place ;  but  he  invelligates  nothing 
profoundly,  and  is  not  fufficiently  calm  to  employ  himfdf  in  an 
-accurate  analylis. 


VI. 

Is  more  animated,  more  affeftionate,   more  energetic,    and 
more  folid  than  the  proceding. 


YII. 


Fa^ezSi. 


mm. 


TH0:MAS    TiOAVARD. 


RAI.THAZAK    BEC  JvKH  . 


28.; 


LAVATE  R-'s    PH  YSIOGNOM  Y,  2Sl 


vii. 


Is  fuperiorto  all  the  others :  that  look  is  pure,  tender,  delicate, 
replete  with  dignity  and  genius,  but  it  does  not  announce  a  man 
acconipUilied  in  the  art  of  forming  and  conda6ting  a  plan. 


VIII. 


May  have  more  judgment  than  7,  more  reflection,  and  more 
energy,  but  he  certainly  has  not,  like  the  other,  that  delicacy  of 
taft  which  is  peculiar  to  genius,  nor  that  lively  and  rapid  fpirit 
of  obfervation  which  the  fentiment  of  love  beftows. 


IX. 


The  eye  drawn  by  a  magnifier,  feems  fond  of  pomp  and  glare; 
and  it,  in  truth,  belongs  to  a  mufician  of  fuperior  genius,  whofe 
numerous  productions  Itrongiy  favour  of  this  difpofition. 


Addition  I.  I. 
Thomas  Howaud   and    Balthazar   Becker, 


Thomas  Howard,  drawn  bv  Holbein,  with  his  ufual  precifion. 
Were  the  foldier  difpofed  to  deny  to  this  phyfionomy  the  courage 
which  conltitutes  heroes,  the  fage  furely  will  allow  it  the  praife 
of  wifdom.  You  find  in  the  look  and  in  the  mouth,  the  addrefs 
and  urbanity  which  commerce  with  the  world  beftows.  The 
foreheadj  the  chin,  and  efpecially  the  eyes,  bear  the  imprefs  of 

T  2  the 


2t2,  LAVAtER'^      PHVSlOGNOMf. 

the  Hatefman,  praftiled  in  bufine's,  occupied  with  proje'51s  of 
great  impor^nce ;  one  who  thinks  with  freedom,  who  writes 
with  circumfpedion,  and  who  a£ls  with  timidity.  I  think  1  dif- 
cern  in  the  whole  of  the  face  a  courtier  whofe  character  is  na- 
turally harfh,  but  who  has  learned  to  foften  it  on  principle. 


II. 


/  Balthazar  Becker  may  ferve  as  a  contrafl  to  the  preceding,  as 
well  fi-ojn  the  form  of  the  face,  as  from  the  eyes.  Slvall  I  rioc  be 
accufed  of  reafoning  inconclufivdy  if  I  maintain,  that  this  per- 
fonage  unites  at  once  a  penetrating  genius,  caprice  in  decifion, 
and  a  fund  of  obffinacy  ?  He  has  the  look  of  a  thinker,  the 
nofe  and  mouth  of  a  man  of  fenfe  and  integrity,  rather  than  of  a 
man  of  delicacy  and  accute  difcernment ;  but  the  form  of  the 
whole,  the  forehead,  and  particularly  the  eyes,  difcover  a  fpirit 
of  contradi6tion,  and  a  decided  propenfity  to  conceit. 


III. 


I  prefent  the  profile  of  a  young  man  remarkable  equally  for 
the  dignity,  and  the  originality  of  his  character.  Thecaimnefs 
of  his  look  is  in  perfed  harmony  with  the  reditude  of  his  under- 
ftanding  and  of  his  heart.  Confident  of  his  native  energy,  he 
endeavour?  to  draw  all  his  fuoplies  froiTa  himfelf,  and  learr.s  to 
depend  only  on  his  own  ilrength.  Adorned  with  talents,  and 
po/Teffing  ftores  of  knowledge,  he  has  the  art  of  enjoying  them 
quietly,  and  Uirns  them  to  good  account :  he  ccnfcientioufly 
fulfills  the  duties  of  his  ftahon  :  he  has  taught  himfelf  to  control 
and  reitrain  his  pallions  :  rarely  will  they  cloud  h:s  reafon,  rare- 
ly will  they  influence  the  judgments  which  he  pronounces.  An 
eye  whlch^bferves  fo  calmly,  may  boldly  plunge  into  labyrinths, 
without  any  apprehenfion  of  being  lofl-.  The  eyebrow  denotes 
a  mind  famiiiarized  to  reflection  and  fufferiniT.  Whatfacracitv 
in  the  Rofe  '  what  candour  in  the  mouth ! 

Ad- 


Faoe  zS^ . 


Yoim. 


Uitenbogart 


C  attenburg' 

c 


w 


lava  t  ek.*s  p  h  ysiognomy.  283 

Addition.  K.  K. 

UlTENBOGART,    CatTENBURG,    AND   GrAV, 


The  incnrre<^nefs  of  the  under  lip  excepted,  it  is  impo^Tihle 
;  not  to  love  fo  good  a  phyfionnmy,  even  though  our  religioys 
principles  fhould  prefcribe  an  averlion  to  arminianifm,  of  which 
Uitenbogart  was  a  zealous  fupporter.  I  will  fay  more:  MigUt 
..npta  face  like  this  be  capable  of  reconciling  us  to  the  fpirit  of 
that  fed  ?  Yes,  I  attach  myfelf  from  inclination  to  that  philo- 
fophical  and  peaceful  forehead,  to  that  phlegmatico-melanchoiiq 
look,  which  nothing  difcompofes,  and  which  never  wlU  ddturb 
any  one;  which  examines  every  thing  without  pr^j^dice,  which 
fets  up  no  cki'Tis  for  felf,  and  exercifes  ^  ipirit  of  perfeft  toler- 
ance t**\7ard  others ;  which  fuffsj-s  with  patience,  and  completely 
Yefigns  itfelf  to  dictates  of  a  delicate  confcience.  That  judicious 
nofe,  that  harmony,  and  that  unity  of  the  wlioLe,  muft  afford 
equal  fatisfa6lion*. 


11, 


The  forehead  is  more  harfli,  the  look  more  open,  blended 
Vi\\ki  a  flight  infufion  of  pretenfion,  but,  at  the  fame  time,  free 
from  pride.  The  eyes  of  Cattenburg  difxufe  their  rays,  thofe 
of  Uitenbogart  colle£l  them.  This  lafl  deems  himfelf  happy, 
when,  unnoticed  by  the  world,  he  can  give  himfelf  calmly  up  to 

*  Mierefeldt  and  Ravenftein,  two  of  the  o-reateft  painters  I  Icnow,  and 
•who  frequently   difpute  precedency  with  Van  jC^yk,   have   employed  th'eir 
pencil  in  painting  this  interefcing  man.     Rave:;il:ein*s  portrait  of  him  is' 11 
the  collection  of  my   brother-in-law,  the  fenator  Schinz,  at   Zuric.     It'  15 
diS&cuU  to  fay  which  is  mofl  amiable,  the  original  of  the  portrait,   or  the 

T  3  his 


8^2  lavater's  physiognomy. 

his  meditations.  The  other  is  attentive,  makes  advances  to 
you,  endeavours  like  a  friend  to  outrun  your  wifhes,  feeks  occa- 
fion  to  oblige  you,  and  cordially  grants  you  his  prote6lion. 


IIT. 

Here  are  eyes  which  fpeak,  and  which  the  impulfe  of  their 
native  force  calls  forth  into  prominency;  they  command,  (with- 
out having,  however,  that  decided  empire  which  diftinguilhes 
the  look  of  a  Guflavus-Adolphus,  of  a  Loyola,  or  of  a  Wren,) 
they  penetrate  you,  the  will  not  fuffer  themfejves  to  be  impofed 
upon,  they  announce  a  man  prepared  for  eve?y  event,  who  re- 
fifls  without  yielding,  and  whofe  vigilant  activity  nothing  can 
exhaufl.  Thefe  eyes,  fo  clofe  to  thefe  bufhy  eyebrows,  rejed 
all  merely  fu^erficial  knowledge.  The  nofe  completely  correl^ 
ponds  to  this  chaiader. 


Addition  L.  L. 

John  Hoze, 

A  cdchrated  Fhyjician  at  Richterfivjl,  in  the  Canton  of  Zuric, 

The  caricature  of  one  of  the  moft  eminent,  the  mofl  affec- 
tionate, and  CQnfequently,  one  of  the  moft  amiable  men  with 
whom  I  am  acquainted.  I  call  this  print  a  caricature,  becaufe  the 
amiabienefs  which  conftitutes  the  difiindiye  merit  of  the  original, 
hasdifappeared  under  the  graver.  In  thele  features  you  fee  fcarce- 
ly  any  thing  more  than  a  mind  prompt  and  firm,  refle6Ling  and 
refolute  in  all  its  actions  ;  but  the  lincere  and  folid  friend,  whofe 
noble  generofity  infpires  contidence,  is  hardly  at  all  exprefled. 
That  look  fo  penetrating  preferves  the  fame  force  and  the  fame 
ener2:y  in  the  orio-inal,  but  there  it  is  more  fbftened.  Such  as 
it  is  exprelfed  in  this  copy,  it  pierces  through  the  furface  of 
things,  it  enters  with  precifipn  into  every  detail.     In  exaft  truth 

this 


LA  VATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMY.  285 

this  is  not  the  look  of  gentlenefs ;  it  is  too  clear,  it  difcerns, 
with  too  much  fagacity,  falfehood  from  truth ;  with  fuch  a 
look  a  man  will  give  way  fometimes  to  vivacity,  and  to  his  na- 
tural a(?livity.  The  nofe  difcovers  the  love  of  order  and  exa6t- 
nels,  but,  at  the  fame  time,  a  certain  degree  of  referve.  I  rank 
the  forehead  with  thofe  which  are  denominated  open  :  it  is  the  re- 
flex of  the  ferene  fiiy.  It  is  not  furrowed  by  wrinkles,  and  is 
incapable  of  being  fo.  What  it  does  not  catch  at  the  firil  mo- 
ment, it  will  never  be  able  to  comprehend  by  dint  of  medita- 
tion :  it  rejefts  with  deteilation  even  the  flighteft  degree  of  con- 
fulion;  and  the  eye,  in  its  turn,  rejeils  every  idea  that  is  vague 
or  obfcure.  This  chara6ler,  in  general,  re  drifts  itftlf  invaria- 
bly to  principles  of  order,  juftice,  and  truth.  I  am  perfuaded 
that  this  man  might  have  raifed  himfelf  to  the  firft  rank  among 
artifls;  his  capacity,  hisaccuiacy,  his  elegance  and  tafte,  would 
have  enfured  him  the  moft  brilliant  iuccefs :  he  polTelTes  exaftly 
that  degree  of  genius  which  is  requilite  for  finifhed  execution, 
and  for  perfuing  and  completing  an  extenfive  work.  I  fee  in 
him  a  reafon  fo  found,  and  imagination  fo  happy,  fo  much  fere- 
nity  of  mind,  a  vigor  fb  manly,  fo  much  fire,  patience,  andpre- 
eifion,  fo  much  delicacy  and  energy  of  feeling,  that  if  I  were 
called  upon  to  give  a  receipt  for  a  charafler  perfeflly  noble  and 
juft,  zealous  in  the  caufe  of  goodnefs,  and  ever  adtive  in  pro- 
moting it,  I  would  prefcribe  the  ingredients  of  which  this  one  is 
compounded,  the  fame  quantities,  and  the  fame  mixture. 

Thofe  who  knew  the  original,  afTuredly  will  not  accufe  me  of 
having  flattered  him  ;  and,  far  from  reproaching  me  with  hav- 
ing faid  too  much,  will  be  ready  to  demand  why  I  have  been  fo 
fparing  in  bis  commendation. 


Of  the  Ejehro^MS^ 

Theeyebiows  alone  often  become  the  pontive  expreffion  of  the 
charader  of  a  man  :  witnefstbe  portraits  of  Taflb,  Leon  Batifte, 
Alberti,  Boileau,  Turenne,  Le  Fevre,  Apeiles,  Ochfenftirn, 
Clarke,  Newton,  &c. 

T  4  Eye- 


3S6  LAVATER*S      PHYSIOGWOMT. 

Eyebrows  gently  aixhed  accord  with  the  modefty  and  fimpli- 
city  of  a  virgin. 

When  placed  in  a  llrait  line  and  horizontally,  half  curbed, 
force  of  mind  is  found  united  with  a  frank  benevolence. 

Rough  and  irregular  eyebrows,  are  always  the  fign  of  ungo- 
vernable vivacity ;  but  this  fame  confutlon  announces  retrained 
palTion,  if  the  hair  is  of  fine  and  flexible  contexture. 

When  they  are  thick  and  compa^:,}  with  the  lafhes  likevvnTe  {o, 
and,  to  ufe  the  exprellion,  drawn  into  a  line,  they  decidedly 
promife  a  folid  judgment,  a  profound  iagacity,  and  a  clear 
and  i'edate  underilanding. 

Eyebrows  which  join  each  other,  were  confidered  among  the 
Arabians  as  a  trait  of  beauty,  while  the  ancient  phyfionomifts 
attached  to  them  the  idea  of  a  Mien  charader.  I  can  neither 
adopt  the  one  nor  the  other  of  thefe  two  opinions ;  the  firli  ap- 
pears to  me  falfe,  the  fecond  exaggerated  ;  for  I  have  often  found 
thefe  forts  of  eyebrows  in  phyfionomies  the  moft  pleaiing  and 
amiable.  It  is,  notwithflanding,  true,  that  they  bring  into  the 
face  the  appearance  of  a  certain  portion  of  trouble  in  the  mind 
or  heart. 

Vv  inckleman  fays,  that  depreffed  eyebrows  give  to  the  head  of 
Arstinous  a  nnt  of  harfhnefs  and  melancholy. 

I  have  never  feen  a  profound  thinker,  nor  even  a  firm  and  ju- 
dicious man,  with  flender  eyebrows,  placed  very  high,  and  di- 
viding the  forehead  into  two  equal  parts. 

Slender  eyebrows  are  an  infallible  m.ark  cf  phlegm  and  weak- 
nefs.  It  is  not  hence  to  be  inferred,  that  a  choleric  and  very  en- 
ergetic  man  may  not  have  flender  eyebrows ;  but  their  fmalincfs 
nlwzys  diminifhes  the  force  and  vivacitv  of  charader. 

Angulous 


lavateil's  physiogno^t.  aSj 

Angulous  and  tranfyerfe,  they  denote  an  active  andprolific  mind. 
The  more  they  approach  to  the  eyes,  the  more  the  charader 
is  ferious,  profound,  and  folid.  This  iofes  its  force,  its  firmnefs, 
and  boldnefs,  in  proportion  as  the  eyebrows  are  raifed. 

A  great  diflance  of  one  from  the  other,  announces  a  facility  of 
conception,  a  foul  calm  and  tranquii. 

White  eyebrows  befpeak  natural  imbecility. 

Dark-brown  are  the  emblems  of  ftrength. 

The  movement  of  the  eyebrows  has  infinite  expreffion ;  it 
ferves  principally  to  mark  the  ignoble  pallions,  pride,  angcT, 
difdain.     A  Hipercilious  man  is  a  contemptible  being. 


SUPPLEMENT. 

Mr.    DE    BUFFON. 

*  After  the  eyes,  the  parts  of  the  face  which  moft  contribute 

*  tg  mark  the  phyfionomy,  are  the  eyebrows ;  as  they  are  of  a 

*  nature  different  from  the  other  parts,  they  are  more  apparent 

*  by  this  contraft,  and  ftrike  more  than  any  other  trait ;  the  eye- 

*  brows  are  a  fliading  in  the  picture,  heightening  the  colour  and 

*  the  form.    The  eye  lafhes  alfo  have  their  effeft ;  when  they  are 

*  long  and  clofe-planted  the  eyes  appear  more  beautiful,  and  the 

*  afpeft  m.ore  temperate.     Only  mankind  and  the  monkey  have 

*  lafnes  on  both  eyelids;   all  other  animals  have  them  not  on 

*  the  under  one ;  and  even  in  man  the  under  is  much  more 
'  flenderly  furnifhed  than  the  upper  eyelid  j  they  fometimes  be- 
'  come  fo  long  in  old  age,  that  people  are  oblige '  to  cut  them. 

*  The  eyebrows  have  but  two  movements,  and  thefe  depend  up- 
^  on  the  mufclers  of  the  forehead,  by  one  of  which  they  are 

*  raifed 


s88  lavater'sphysiogkomy, 

«  raifed,  and  by  the  other  drawn  dovi-n  in  approximating  each 
*  other." 


Le  Brun. 

Treat'ije  on  the  clara^er  of  the  TaJJlons, 

*  There  are  two  movements  in  the  eyebrows,  which  cxprefs 

*  all  the  operations  of  the  paulons.     Thefe  two  movements  have 

*  a  perfe£k  relation  to  two  appetites  in  the  fenfitive  part  of  the 

*  foul ;    the   concupifclhle    appetite,     and   the  iracible   appetite. 

*  That  which  raifes  them  towards  the  brain,  exprcfTes  all  the 

*  fiercer  and  more  cruel  paffions. 

*  There  are  two  wavs  in  which  the  eyebrow  is  elevated,  one 

*  where  it  is  raifed  in  the  middle,  and  this  elevation  exprciTes 

*  ag-reeable  emotions.     When  the  evebrow    rifes  in  the  middle, 

*  the  fides  of  tne  mouth  are  raifed :  in  lorrow  the  middle  of  the 

*  mouth  rifes. 

*  When  the  eyebrow  falls  in  the  middle,  this  movement  marks 

*  a  corporeal  afdiftion,  the  fides  of  the  mouth  being  at  the  fame 

*  time  deprelTed. 

*  In  laughter   ell  the  parts  follow  them  \    for  the  eyebrows 

*  finking  towards  trie  m«iddle  of  the  forehead,  occauon  the  nofej 

*  the  mouth,  and  the  eyes  to  follow  the  fame  movement." 

ADDITION    A. 

If  we  endeavour  to  judge  of  whole  nations  by  one  or  by  an- 
other diflin6l  part  of  the  countenancej  the  Englilli  will  obtain 
the  preference  with  refpeft  to  the  eyebrows.  Am.ong  them  this 
trait  always  charaderifes  the  thinker  \  and  I  fnall  riik  nothing 

i« 


r5i 


^ 


Tage  iSg . 


YolM. 


Diem  erbroe  ck 


Hvde 


Oppyck 


Rivet 


l\ 


lavater's  physiognomy.  289 

in  doubting,  whether  the  fertile  genius  of  the  French  does  not 
ordinarily  manifeft  itfelf  by  the  form  of  the  nofe.  Run  over  a 
ceitain  number  of  Englifh  p::rtraits,  and  you  will  be  convinced 
of  the  juftnefs  of  my  remark. 

If  I  faw  in  this  portrait  of  Clarke,  only  the  eyebrows— 
and  they  are  indifferently  enough  defigned — I  fhould  not,  for 
an  inflant,  doubt  of  themajeilic  conformation  of  the  forehead  and 
the  nofe,  which  mufi:  necefTarily  be  imagined.  I  will  fay  further, 
that  if  I  do  not  here  difcern  the  higheil  degree  of  penetration, 
combined  with  an  equal  portion,  of  praftical  fenfe,^  I  muft  def- 
pair  of  ever  finding  it.  A  phyfionomy  adorned  with  fuch  eye- 
brows, would  infpire  me,  at  the  diftance  of  a  hundred  paces, 
with  the  mod  profound  veneration :  I  fhould  refpeftfuUy  pre- 
fent  myfelf  before  him,  endeavouring  to  conceal  all  my  weak- 
nelTes,  without  too  much  flattering  myfelf,  that  they  would  not 
be  perceived,  and  I  fhould  be  careful  not  to  aiTume  borrowed 
virtues,  perfuaded  that  my  oftentation  could  not  efcape  fo  pene- 
trating an  obferver,  capable,  as  he  muft  be,  to  diftinguifh  my 
good  qualities,  though  difguiiedynder  the  thickeft  veil. 


.   Addition  B. 

DiEMEREHOEK,  HiDEs,  Oppyck,  and  Rivet. 

I  affign  the  preference  to  Diemerbroek,  on  account  of  the 
hair.  The  amiable  fagacity  of  his  chara^ler  pleafingly  appears 
in  every  part  of  the  eyebrow,  in  every  hair  of  the  head.  In  ad- 
miral Hides,  the  drawing,  the  form,  and  mafs  of  the  eyebrows 
^lo(l  expreflively  indicate  a  determined  mind,  a6live  and  vigour- 
ous,  which  leaves  no  time  for  his  projects  to  cool.  Who  would 
prefume  to  fport  at  fuch  a  phyfionomy,  at  this  penetrating  look, 
at  thofe  eyebrows  ?  Could  a  timid  and  irrefolute  character  bear 
the  prefence  of  fuch  a  man  ? 

There  is  much  more  coolnefs  and'refleaion,  lefs  aftivity,  cf 

boldnefs 


%g6  1  A  V  AT  E  R^S    P  H  Y  SIOGNOM  Y 

boldnefs,  and  morofenefs,  in  the  eyebrows  of  Oppyck.  We  there 
acknowledge  true  candour,  uninfluenced  by  the  paffions. 

With  eyebrows  like  thofe,  Rivet  is  above  minute  examina- 
tion ;  we  dread  to  decide  upon  uncommon  impreffions,  but  ad» 
here  more  firongly  to  thofe  already  received.  The  eye,  the 
forehead,  the  nofe,  the  mouth,  correfponded  in  furnifliing  the 
fame  indications. 

1.  To.  this  I  would  aflign  the  charader  of  temperate  fagacity, 
founded  upon  experience. 

2.  That  energetic  courage  which  is  efTential  to  heroes. 

3.  A  found  and  upright  mind. 

4.  A  manly  prudence,  fearching  after  knowledge. 

Thefe  four  kinds  of  eyebrows  are  feldom  found  among  wo-= 
men.  If  the  fair  fex  differed  from  ours  only  in  this  fingle 
trait,  the  diftintlion  would  flill  be  fufficiently  eftablifned. 


Of  the  Nose. 


The  ancients  were  right  in  calling  the  nofe  honefiamentiCm  faciei, 
I  believe  I  have  before  faid,  that  1  look  upon  this  part  as  the 
balio  of  the  forehead.  Such  as  underftand  a  little  of  the  theory 
of  gothic  architeclure,  will  eafily  comprehend  my  comparifon. 
The  nofe  is  appointed  to  fuftain  the  arch  of  the  forehead,  which 
but  for  fach  friendly  fupport,  would  prefs  the  cheeks  and  the 
mouth  downwards. 

A  £ne  nofe  never  afTociates  with  a  deformed  face.  A  difa- 
f^reeable  face  may  have  fine  eves,  but  a  reo;ular  nofe  neceffarilv 
infers  a  h'appy  analogy  of,  the  other  l^atureSo     Thus  we  may 

perceivf^ 


I.  A  Y  A  T  E  R    S     P  H  Y  S  I  O  G  N^  0  M  y.  29I 

perceive  a  thoufand  fine  eyes  for  one  fingle  nofe  perfe6lfy  we!!- 
formed ;  and  where  one  fo  formed  is  found,  it  always  implies  a 
character  of  diliinguillied  excellence.  Non  culque  datum  efi 
habere  7iafum.  Here  follows  what,  according  to  my  opinion,  is 
ncceflary  for  the  conformation  of  a  noit  perfedJy  beautiful. 

a.  Its  length  ought  to  be  equal  to  that  of  the  forehead. 

b.  It  mud  have  a  gentle  falling-in  near  the  root. 

c.  Viewed  in  the  front,  the  ridge,  (fp'ina^  dorfum  naji)^  mu^  be 
large  with  the  two  fides  nearly  parallel:  but  the  breadth  mult  be 
a  little  increafcd  near  the  middle. 

J.  The  extremity  or  tip  of  the  nofe  {orhkulus)  mufi:  not  be  too 
iharply  pointed  nor  too  obtufe :  the  lower  contour  mufl  be  farm- 
ed with  precifion  and  with  conneftioil,  neither  too  pointed  nor 
too  large, 

e.  In  front  the  fides  of  the  nofe  (pinna)  mufl  diflinc^jy  prelefit 
themfelves,  fo  that  the  noflrils  agreeably  fore-fnoi ten  at  the  bot- 
tom, 

f.  In  the  profile,  the  bafe  of  the  nofe  mufl  be  only  one  third  of 
its  length. 

g.  The  noflrils  mufl  draw  more  or  lefs  towards  a  point,  and 
become  rounded  as  they  recede. 

/;.  The  fides  of  the  nofe,  or  of  the  ridge  of  the  nofe,  inufi  be 
iformed  arch -wife. 

z.  The  upper  part  mufl  nearly  unite  with  the  arch  of  the  eye- 
bone,  and  its  dimenfion  on  the  fide  of  the  eye  mufl  be  at  ieafl 
half  an  inch. 

A  nofe  comprehending  all  thefe  perfections,  exprefles  all  that 
can  be  exprefTcd.     There  are,   however,  many  perfons,  of  the 

greareft 


i^a  LAVATERS     PHYSIOGNOJtY. 

greatefl  merit  who  have  badly  formed  nofes ;  but  we  mud  dif- 
tingiiilh  between  the  diiferent  kinds  of  merit  for  which  they  ar^ 
remarkable.  Thus,  for  example,  I  have  feen  men  very  well- 
bred,  generous,  and  judicious,  with  fmall  nofes  oblique  in  pro- 
file, although  in  other  refpe^^s  happily  organifed  :  they  poflefTed 
cflimable  qualities,  but  thefe  were  confined  to  a  gentlenefs  of 
temper,  forbearance,  attention  and  docility,  difpoiing  them  to 
receive  and  relifh  fenfations  of  delicacy.  Nofes  arched  from  the 
upper  part  of  the  root  belong  to  elevated  characters,  who  are 
called  upon  to  command,  to  accomplifh  great  things,  firm  in 
their  projects,  and  ardent  in  the  purfuit  of  them.  Perpendicu-r 
]ar  nofes  — that  is  to  fay,  fuch  as  approach  towards  that  form, 
for  I  always  hold  it  as  a  leading  principle,  that  in  all  her  produc- 
tions, nature  abhors  lines  entirely  ilrait — this  fort  of  nofes,  I 
fay,  may  be  looked  upon  as  the  key-ftone  between  the  two 
others :  they  fuppofe  a  foul  that  knows  how  to  a6l  and  to  fuffer 
tranquilly  and  with  energy. 

Socrates,  Boerhaave,  and  LairefTe,  had  very  ill  formed  nofes, 
and  yet  they  were  neverthelefs  very  great  men,  but  the  fund  of 
their  character  was  that  of  a  gentle  and  patient  difpoiition. 

A  nofe  with  a  large  ridge,  whether  it  may  be  ftrait  or  curved, 
always  announces  (uperior  faculties.  In  this  I  have  never  been 
miflaken  ;  but  this  form  is  very  rare.  You  may  examine  ten 
thoufand  natural  faces,  and  a  thoufand  portraits  of  celebrated 
men,  without  finding  a  fingle  one  of  this  defcription  :  this  trait, 
however,  appears,  more  or  lefs,  in  the  portraits  of  Faufte  Socin, 
Swift,  Cefar  Borgia,  Clepzeker,  Anthony  Pagi,  John  Charles 
d'Enkenberg,  (a  perfon  famous  for  his  bodily  ftrength)  Paul 
Sarpi,  Peter  de  Medicis,  Francois  Garrache,  Caffini,  Lucas  of 
Leyden,  Titian. 

Without  this  large  ridge,  and  a  very  narrow  root,  the  nofe  of- 
ten indicates  an  extraordinary  energy — but  this  is  almoft  always 
fo  momentary  and  evanefcent,  that  its  appearance  and  departure 
are  equally  imperceptible. 

The 


l\i^e  ■3<^3 . 


Vai.m. 


2  5):  J 


LAVATER*S    PHYSIOGNOMT.  29| 

The  Tartars  have  generally  broad  and  hollowed  nofes ;  the 
African  negroes  flat;  the  Jews,  for  the  moft  part,  aquiline ;  the 
Englifh,cartiliginions,  and  fe!dom  pointed.  If  we  may  judge  from 
paintings  and  portraits,  fine  nofes  are  not  common  among  the 
Dutcii,  In  the  natives  of  Italy,  on  the  contrary,  this  trait  is  dil^ 
tinftive  and  of  the  great  eft  expreffion.  Upon  the  whole,  and  I 
have  faid  it  before,  the  nofe  is  abfolutely  chara6leriftic  of  the 
celebrated  meii  of  France ;  of  which  the  galleries  of  Perrault  and 
Morin  afford  fufficient  proofs. 

A  fmall  noftril  is  an  infal'.iblefign  of  a  timid  mind,  incapable 
of  undertaking  the  moft  inconftderable  enterprize. 

When  the  fides  of  the  nofe  are  very  flexible,  and  very  quickly 
excited  to  motion,  they  fliew  a  great  delicacy  of  fentiment,  which 
jnay  eafily  degenerate  into  fenfuality  and  voluptuoufnefs. 


Addition  A. 

1.  The  nofe  and  the  eye  anouncea  man  of  upright  intentions, 
a  found  mind,  and  a  vigourous  temperament. 

2.  This  fomewhat  favourably  prepofleftes  by  its  form,  but  ftill 
it  is  but  the  caricature  of  the  nofe  of  an  injudicious  perfon.  Its 
bridge  is  too  much  lengthened,  and  to  abruptly  detached  from 
the  root. 

3.  This  has  more  meaning.  To  have  given  it  greater  exprellion 
the  extremity  fhould  have  been  defigned  with  more  boldnels. 

Thefe  two  nofes  4.  and  5.  border  upon  folly,  particularly  5, 
When  the  concave  from  the  root  of  the  nofe  is  fo  m.uch  length- 
ened that  the  nofe  becomes  too  fuddenly  and  difagreeably  promi- 
nent, and  in  difproportion  with  the  extremity,  I  always  ex- 
pert fome  confulion  in  the  mind.  With  regard  to  5.  it  is  unne- 
ceflary  to  mention  that  (harp  and  fcornful  air,  which  disfigures 

the 


^94  t  A  V  A  T  E  R  '  S     P  ft  Y  $  I  0  G  N  6  Ri  t'. 

the  eye,  t^xe  chin  and  the  mouth  :  you  will  alfo  obferve  in  all 
thefe  parts  that  inrupportable  void  commonly  belonging  to  pre- 
funlptuous  people. 


Anrjitio^  S. 
Eight  Noses. 

Thefe  contours  appear  to  be  drawn  after  nature  :  they  have 
all  an  air  of  truth,  and  are  all  above  the  common — but  never- 
thelefs,  they  admit  of  diftinflions. 

1 .  I  am  hot  convinced,  whether  this  is  the  nofe  of  a  man 
fedate,  iudicious  and  experienced,  who,  notwithftanding,  has  not 
attained  to  a  decided  fuperiority* 

2.  Is  much  inferior  to  the  former;  it  is  lefs  exprefiive,  butcir- 
cumfped,  timid,  fcrupulous,  and  minute. 

2.  Is  oppofedto2,  energetic,  bold,  and  determined,  at  the  fame 
time  fufficiently  confiderate  to  weigh  inthe  balance  of  reafon  the 
probable  fuccefs  of  his  enterprizes. 

4.  If  I  allow  him  not  a  fhare  of  underflanding,  flilll  believe 
Mm  more  juclicious  than  3,  though  he  is  not  fo  decided  a  charac= 
ter. 

5.  This  nofe  appears  to  belong  to  the  fame  family  with  4,  but 
is  more  juvenile,  and  perhaps  that  of  a  fon,  or  a  younger  brother. 

6.  This  Iketcn  of  ano  e  is  in  fofmgular  a  flile,  that  I  am  unable 
to  form  a  precife  judgment  of,  or  even  to  account  by  conjecture, 
for  the  caufe  of  its  deviation.  At  tlie  worft,  IVouM  infer  ah 
original  tiirn  of  mind  and  good  nature,  rather  than  fplended 
talents,  or  a  malignant  dirpofition.  The  end  being  brotighttlowh 
too  low,  gives  it  the  appearance  of  a  carric^ture. 

7.  Belongs 


Taaen^^, 


rol.IU. 


Tei^if  ^£.. 


TolM 


Faqe  2^5 


VblJE. 


5 


D     i 


4 


6 


9 


i 


xavater's  physiognomy. 


29: 


^.  Belongs  to  a  man  converfant  in  the  praftical  affairs  of  life, 
more  fenfible  and  precife  than  i,  more  enterprifing  than  2,  more 
fubtle  than  4  and  5, 

8.  Is  the  moll  remarkable  and  manly  of  the  whole.  It  is  the 
iiofe  of  a  minifter  of  ftate,  or  a  prince. 


Addition  C. 
Eight  Noses* 

Amongft  thenofes  of  this  plate,  there  is  not  one  very  remarka^ 
ble.  However,  were  I  to  decide,  I  fliould  fay  4  would  captivate 
by  its  originality,  and  8  by  its  expreffion  of  judgment. 

I.  Appears  fenfual  and  voluptuous,  but  fundamentally  good. 
2.  Exceffively  phlegmatic,  cii cum fpeft  and  loyal.  3.  Has  the 
famiC character,  only  with  a  little  more  Ihrewdnefs.  4*  Inclines  to 
voluptuoufnefs ;  but  this  propenfity  does  not  hinder  him  from 
being  judicious  and  generous.  But  few  things  are  wanting  to 
make  him  a  man  of  a  fuperior  character.  5.  Has  fo  great  an 
analogy  to  3,  that  they  may  be  eafily  confounded.  They  are  ap- 
parently of  the  fame  family.  6.  Has  more  dignity  than  2  ancf 
8.  7.  Has  perhaps  more  difcernment  than  the  preceding  i 
but  this  is  lefs  from  reafon  than  from  inftinft.  8.  Is  above  all 
the  others,  as  much  for  folidity  of  judgment  as  delicacy  of 
tniiid. 


AddItio^  D. 

Nine  Noses  Shaded,  in  profile. 

None  of  thefe  entirely  indicate  a  found  and  upright  mind. 
At  moft,  we  may  except  4  and  5,  and  ftill  they  are  fubjeds  for 
criticifn, 

IT  4.  Ha5 


29^  lavater's    p  h  ysiOGNOM  y. 

4.  Has  goodnefs  and  civility,  but,  to  fpeak  with  more  pgeci- 
fion,  it  is  a  little  too  much  ihortened,  the  fide  of  the  extremity 
is  too  much  rounded,  and  too  flightly  ftiaded— a  defe£l  which  I 
have  before  imputed  to  each  number  in  this  plate.  5.  Js.dif- 
tinguifhed  above  the  others  by  the  ftrength  of  its  chara^er, 
which  imports  much  penetration  and  fagacity,  a  determined 
mind  and  mafculine  vigour* 

I.  Is  deftitute  of  every  fentiment  of  delicacy.  I  do  not  be- 
lieve him  without  malice.  2.  Is  the  caricature  of  a  nofe  which 
fuppofes  good'  fenfe,  and  nothing  more.  3.  Naturally  timid, 
and  only  eflimable  for  the  love  of  order  and  neatnefs.  6.  The 
iame  as  the  precedmg,  befides.  whi<:h  I  difcover  a  tint  of  volup- 
tuoufnefs.  7.  Is  abandoned  to  brutal  rudenefs.  8.  The  expref- 
lion  of  this  is  fomewhat  modified  by  a  fund  of  good  nature.  9. 
This  wants  truth:  the  upper  contour,  and  that  of  the  lower  ex- 
tremity are  abofultely  wanting. 

In  all  thefe  profiles  the  noftrils  are  altogether  unpardonable. 
I  doubt  whether  the  deiigner  worked  after  nature. 


Additson  E. 
r.  Philippus  Auda?:. 

•  If  the  form  of  this  face  is  notexpreffive,  we  mufl  defpair  of 
-ever  finding  one  that  is  fo.  Such  a  nofe  infpires  the  fentiment 
of  his  energy;  and  we  feel  this  fentiment  fomewhat  as  a  man  in 
good  health,  enjoys  that  health  without  paying  attention  to  it. 
Proportion  obferved,  the  chin  might  have  been  more  embolden- 
ed, and  the  eye  does  not  fufficientlv  charaderife  the  courage  of 
a  hero  who  has  merited  the  furname  of  Bola  ;  but  the  m>outh 
moil  excellently  defcribes  a  meditative  fagacity,  an  unembarrafTed 
attention,  and  the  com.pofure  of  a  manly  energy.  2.  This  is 
not  a  common  phyfionomy,  but  the  forehead  has  not  all  that  is 
neceifary  to  mark  a  great  man.     I  am  greatly  pleafed  with  the 

eye- 


Fage  ip6. 


VoJM. 


297 


:Pa^ei^T. 


VolM. 


tiAVATER's     PHYSIOGNOr.IY. 


297 


fyebrows  and  the  nofe.  One  cannot  but  difcover- in  them-  firm- 
nefs,  courtefy,  a  found  and  clear  judgment,  and  an  infinite  fa- 
gacity.  The  eye  is  full  of  fweetnefs  and  beneficence ;  the  month 
is  the  organ  of  reafon*  The  energy  of  the  chin  is  a  little  in 
contralV  with  the  delicacy  of  the  look. 

I  alfo  much  admire  nofeslike  this  you  fee  in  profile  of  Am- 
merbach.  What  fentiment,  what  probity,  what  folidity  and 
force!  This  man  is  too  fure  of  his  objeft  not  to  make  his  opi- 
nions be  adopted  by  all  the  world,  while  he  is  himfeif  very  difii- 
cult  to  be  perfuaded. 


Addition  F. 

Three  French  Heads^  after  Morin^ 

Thefe  heads,  from  the  colle(^ion  of  the  illuflrlous  men  of 
l^rance,  by  Morin,  are  particularly  diHinguilhed  by  the  nofe :  but 
this  principal  trait  muft  have  loft  much  of  its  fpirit  and  original 
elegance  in  a  tranfition  to  this  fifth  or  perhaps  tenth  copy ;  above 
all,  the  noflrils  are  vifibly  mutilated. 

I.  Denotes  moft  fenfe.  2.  Moft  circumfpe(?tion.  3.  Exceeds 
the  other  two,  by  an  uncommon  enlargement  of  mind  ;  and  yet 
in  this  the  drawing  is  the  moft  defe6live. 

Let  us  examine,  by  the  way,  the  other  parts  of  the  face,  this 
Lecture  being  equally  dedicated  to  that  purpofe. 

I.  Every  trait,  every  detail,  not  excepting  the  hair,  bears  the 
llamp  of  wifdom  a'nd  fweetnefs ;  all  there  is  homogeneal,  every 
thing  tends  to  form  the  mofl  harmonious  combination.  The 
mouth,  in  particular,  folicits  your  confidence ;  it  breathes  the 
love  of  peace,  good  order,  and  unfufpefted  candour.  The  chin 
is  not  in  a  great  liile,  but  it  has  nothing  of  harfnnefs,  and,  far 
from  difgufting  and  fatiguing  you,  it  difcoveis  a  little  limidity^ 

U  2  2.  Is 


298  LAVATEr's    PHYSIOGNOMY" 

2.  Is  much  more  complicated,  more  cunning,  more  intriguing; 
and  it  is  precifely  that  complication,  and  that  diverfity  in 
the  trjtits,  which  remove  it  fo  prodigioufiy  from  the  noble  fim- 
plicityof  I,  and  the  decided  fuperiority  of  3.  3.  If  lam  not 
miflaken,  this  is  a  reprefentation  of  Mercier,  the  architect. 
From  this  copy,  figure  to  yourfelf  the  portrait  of  the  original 
from  which  it  was  engraved,  and  then  carry  your  imagination 
up  to  the  model  itfelf,  and  withold  your  admiration,  if  you  can. 
You  may  cenfure  the  mouth,  or  rather  this  copy  of  the  mouth, 
as  exprefTing  fomewhat  of  pride  and  pretenfion:  but,  if  ever  a 
phyfionomy  was  authorifed  to  demand  its  rights,  it  is  this :  it  af- 
pires  at  pre-eminence  even  while  in  the  chains  of  flavery.  That 
eye  furmounted  with  fuch  an  eyebrow,  inftantaneoufly  perceives 
what  2  can  only  difcover  through  the  medium  of  minute  and 
laborious  invefligation. 


Addition  G, 

T'ct'o  Heacis^  iv'ith  Hair. 

Perhaps  there  .vv^ould  be  nothing  fi:riking  in  thefe  two  counte- 
nances, if  they  did  not  derive  value  from  the  hair  ;  they  are  be* 
fides  defigned  with  the  timidity  of  a  learner. 

T .  Without  the  diilin£Live  trait  already  noted,  this  would  have 
been  fcarcely  any  thing  more  than  a  common  face  ;  we  ftiould 
find  but  little  expreflion,  or  perhaps  an  infantine  air.  I  fhall  not 
enquire  whether  the  fault  refls  with  the  painter,  or  only  with 
the  engraver,  who  appears  to  have  been  fparjng  of  his  labour  in 
every  part.  Notwithftanding  all  his  remifTnefs,  he  has,  how- 
ever, preferved  a  character  of  fuperiority  in  the  nofe,  which 
faves  the  reft  of  the  phyfionomy,  which  removes  it  out  of  the 
ordinary  clafs,  and  which  advantageoufly  refie6ls  upon  the  eye, 
upon  the  mouth,  and  upon  that  covered  forehead.  The  whole 
taken  together  perhaps  fays  more  than  we  defire,  or,  to  fpeak 
more  clearly,  it  does  not  irifpire  us  with  a  full  confidence,  but 

%  ilii-i 


en 


>•)'! 


300 


tAVATERS    PHYSIOGNOMY.  299 

fiill  challenges  pur  admiration.  2.  The  fame  fpirit  anim^Les  this 
figure,  but  the  noCe  ftill  more  dignifies,  Hrengthens,  and  confoli- 
•lates  the  faculties  which  the  other  traits  announce ;  at  leall  it  is 
fo  in  this  copy.  Befldcs  a  fund  of  tranquillity  and  gentlenefs,  a 
judicious  circumfpe<6lion,  and  a  fenfibility,  which,  if  we  are  to 
believe  the  mouth,  although  it  is  fomething  in  the  ftiie  of  the 
mannerift,  may  eafily  degenerate  into  effeminacy  and  weaknefs, 
you  here  fee  the  man— the  man  wife,  a<ftive,  always  fure  of  his 
objeft,  though  he  does  not  feek  co  render  himfelf  confpicuous, 
though  he  confines  himfelf  within  the  bounds  of  modefty,  and 
though  he  prefcribes  tp  himfdf  a  certain  portioij  pf  referve. 


Addition  H. 

Laxgelius,  Haydan,  Heinsius,  and  Caester. 

If  your  fentiments  were  to  be  aiked  on  thefe  four  faces,  it  is 
probable  you  would  anfwer,  that  neither  of  them  yields  you  en- 
tire fatisfaftion,  that  in  this  fketch  at  leaft  they  have  each  fome- 
thing of  harihnefs.  But  if  an  option  were  necefiary,  you  would 
declare,  I  am  fure,  in  favour  of  Haydan,  and  you  would  find  in 
him,  in  defpite  of  all  his  coarfencfs,  a  fund  of  candour  and  good 
fenfe.  The  nofe  is  fufficient  to  convince  us  of  this ;  it  reconciles 
us  to  the  other  features,  and  gives  them  additional  value.  You 
muft  be  ftruck  with  the  harmonv  of  his  ri^ht  eve,  the  look  of 
which  afiuredly  difcovers  neither  u^eaknefs  nor  indifference,  with 
the  eyebrow,  full  of  vigour  and  fenfe,  and  with  that  mouth  fo 
expreffive  of  fincerity  and  difcretion.  2.  This  may  be  more  ori- 
ginal, more  pidurefque,  owing  to  the  contour  of  the  extremity 
of  the  nofe;  but  upon  examining  it  more  attentively,  you  will 
there  feek  in  vain  for  the  foftnefs,  compof«re,  folidity,  and  cordi- 
ality, which  diftinguifli  the  former.  Neither  does  the  chin  ad- 
mit fuch  concentrated  energy.  3.  In  all  theie  heads  no  account  is 
to  be  made  of  the  air  of  the  face,  which  it  is  almoft  impoflible 
to  retrace  with  precifion  in  a  fimple  contour.  With  this  modi^ 
ftcation,  do  you  not  feel,  as  I  do,  that  not  only  this  forehead,  not 

y  3  only 


30O  lavater's    physiognomy, 

only  the  eye,  not  only  the  folds  of  the  cheeks,  but  ftill  more  par- 
ticularly the  contour  of  the  nofe,  anounce  a  vivacity  of  imagi- 
nation, a  profound  thinker,  firm  in  his  fyftem,  a61ive  and  vigi- 
lant, accurate  in  the  formation  of  his  own  ideas,  and  expert  in 
developing  thofe  of  other  men — in  a  word,  a  man  of  talents, 
a  mafcuiine  and  nervous  chara6ter.  4.  Subfritute  in  the 
of  place  of  this,  the  original  portrait,  the  attitude  of  which 
is  very  happily  chofen.  (This  is  not  to  be  recomended  to 
a  fuoerficial  obferver,  and  ftill  lefs  that  he  fhould  conlider  it 
in  the  detail :  here  the  painter  was  infpired  by  his  model,  and 
thence  occurs  that  air  of  the  head  fo  proper  and  fo  exprefTive). 
Would  you  not  dwell  with  pleafure  before  the  painting  itfelf  ? 
Viewed  in  front,  would  the  eye  alone,  or  would  the  play  of  the 
mouth  moft  attach  you:  to  this  phyfionomy  ?  Or  rather,  jwould 
you  not  expeft  a  rich  {lore  of  fenfe  and  reafon  only  from  the 
form  of  the  nofe,  although  that  part  is  badly  defigned  and  de- 
graded fron  the  chara^er  of  grandeur  and  fuperiority  which  it 
©u^ht  to  bear. 


Addition  I^ 

Of  the  Nofe, 

Spiegel  and  Cla-uberg. 

Vv'ould  you  prefume  to  call  that  man  judicious,  who  fliould 
attribute  to  thefe  two  perfonages  the  fame  intelledual  and  moral 
charader  ?  Smile,  if  this  amufes  you,  bat  it  is  not  the  lefs  true, 
that  in  the  annexed  plate,  it  is  the  nofe  only  that  diftinguiflies 
the  learned  profeiTor  from  the  mere  man  of  the  world.  Produce 
the  two  figures  to  people  who  have  never  heard  of  the  name  ei- 
ther of  Spiegel  or  Clauberg,  and  though  poflefred  of  but  a  mo- 
derate fuare  of  difcernment,  they  will,  without  hefitation,  fay, 
that  if  one  of  the  two  is  a  man  of  erudition,  it  muft  necefTarily 
le  2.     No  perfon  will  difpute  his  fkill  in  the  fciences,  applica-r 

tion. 


Tit^e$oo 


Vol.M. 


301 


LAVATER'S    P  H  YSIOGNOMY.  3OI 

tion,  folidity,  facility  in  his  purfuits,  and  the  art  of  managing  his 
fubje(ft  to  advantage. 

At  the  fame  time  to  i,  they  will  allow  tafte,  eloquence,  pru- 
dence, a  knowledge  of  the  world,  a  talent  for  bufinefs,  and  a 
lively  imagination,  rather  calculated  to  reliih  the  bc.autiful,  than 
to  fearch  into  the  depths  of  literature.  If  your  opinion  were 
to  be  aiked  refpe6ling  the  form  of  the  nofe,  in  exanr.ining  the 
engraved  profile,  could  you  fail  to  obferve  there  a  relllefs  activi- 
ty, ardour  and  courage  ?  But  do  you  alfo  obferve  in  him  the 
coolnefs  of  refle6lion  and  wife  perfeverance,  which  are  neceflary 
for  conducting  an  enterprife  to  its  end,  a  gentle  and  peaceable 
temper,  fentiments  of  tendernefs,  and  the  gift  of  infmuation  ? 
This  I  much  doubt,  and  think  at  moft  you  will  fuffer  him  to 
pafs  for  a  brave  and  loyal  man,  and  a  head  original  and  illuftr^- 
ous. 


Addition  K. 

Paul    Veronese. 

Here  is  a  phyfionomy  altogether  Italian,  exhibiting  a  pro- 
duiflive  genius,  and  the  fertility  and  ardour  of  an  artifl:  captivat- 
ed with  hisprofeffion.  It  is  all  eye,  all  ear,  all  fenfe.  Here  we 
recognize  the  attentive  obferver,  who  knows  how  to  chufe  with 
difcernment.  This  is  indicated  in  every  part  of  the  face  ;  and 
the  nofe  in  particular  ferves  as  a  diftindive  fign  of  fertility  of 
imagination,  maturity  of  underftanding,  and  delicacy  of  taile 
apd  fentiment. 

Addition  L. 

Pry  den. 

This  head  appears  to  me  lefs  productive  than  the  other,  bu 
}( has  much  more  folidity.     If  it  is  lefs  rich  in  funds,  if  it  is  lefs 

U  4  an 


30a.  LAVATERS     PHYSIOGNOMY. 

an  obje<St  of  choice,  it  has  the  advantage  in  point  of  energy.  By 
the  whole  of  the  phylionomy,  and  principally  by  the  nofe,  is 
announced  a  man  of  refolution  and  genius,  whofe  foul  is  impaf- 
fioned  and  of  acute  fenfibility.  Compared  with  the  preceding, 
this  chara(2:er  is  Icfs  referved  in  his  pleafantries,  lefs  fevere  in  his 
ideas,  but  more  bold  in  his  refolutions,  which  he  will  purfue  to. 
their  end  with  determined  perfeverance. 


Addition  M. 

Erafmus  is  always  reprefented  with  a  cap  upon  his  head.  Did 
he  apprehend  that  his  forehead  was  not  open,  noble,  or  confident 
enough  to  be  expofed  to  the  face  of  day  ?  Did  he  conceal  it 
from  modefty  ?  Or  had  he  not  phyfionomical  ta<5t  enough  to. 
know,  that  this  part  is  efFential  in  a  portrait?  Upon  the  whole, 
whether  he  wore  a  cap  from  habit,  for  reafons  of  health,  or  be- 
caufe  his  friend  Holbein  pj-efered  painting  him  in  that  familiar 
pofition,  I  cannot  determine.  Of  this,  however,  I  am  confi- 
dent, that  his  phyfionomy  is  one  of  the  mofl  interefting,  the 
moft  fpeaking,  and  moll  diflin^live  that  I  know.  It  would  ap- 
pear with  equal  advantage  in  either  of  the  chapters  of  this  Lec- 
ture ;  but  I  haveaffigned  it  a  place  here,  becaufe  it  is  mofl  pecu- 
liarly charafterifed  by  the  nofe. 

We  fliall  now  produce  and  comment  upon  fome  of  the  beft 
portraits  of  Erafmus,  Mofr  of  thofe  we  are  in  poffeffion  of  are 
engraved  after  the  originals,  or  after  the  copies  of  Holbein, 
However  they  may  differ  in  fome  refpedls,  they  ail  correfpond 
in  (liewing  a  man  ingenious,  intelligent,  fprightly,  and  unaffefted, 
of  exteniive  knowledge,  abounding  in  talents  and. wit ;  the  man 
of  lludy  who  is  at  his  eafe  only  in  his  clofj^t,  and  who,  when  out 
of  that,  is  no  longer  in  his  proper  place;  the  writer  capable  of 
doing  with  his  pen  whatever  he  pl';afes'.  It  will  be  faid,  that 
thofe  lips  are  aiwa)-s  ready  for  the  efcape  of  fome  fatyricai  fally; 
\ve  heje  fee  the  penetrating  fmile  pf-  an  intelligent .obferver,  who 

.    ..'  .  n.nrantiy 


Fa^e^'ity-i^ 


YolM. 


L  AVATE  R*S    P  H  Y  SIOGNOM  Yt  30J 

inftantly  fiezes  objects  of  ridicule  imperceptible  to  people  oi  Ici^ 
acute  difcrimination. 


Addition  N, 

The  traniition  from  the  nofe  to  the  forehead  is  incorredly 
drawn,  nor  is  the  nofe  itfelf  fufficientiy  expreffive  of  delicacy ; 
^nd  yet  this  fimple  jfketch  vifibly  retraces  a|l  the  qualities  we 
have  partipularifed. 


Addition  O. 

Where  are  ingenuity,  truth,  circumfpe6lion,  and  delicacy  to  be 
found,  if  not  in  this  original  phyfionomy  ?  Where  will  you 
find  a  more  perfed  harmony  of  all  the  coniiituent  traits?  The  de- 
ligner  has  ex  pre  (Ted  them  with  wonderful  addrefs:  he  himfelf 
certainly  fmiied,  v.'hen  fo  well  exprelTmg  the  malignant  fmile  of 
his  model.  We  fee  that  he  has  fcrupnloufly  applied  himfelf  to 
preferve  all  thofe  inflexions,  all  thofe  minute  derails  which  give 
the  moft  impreffive  fignification  in  a  face  like  this.  Not  a  iin~ 
gle  trait  drawn  at  random,  difagreeably  encroaching  upon,  or 
diminifliine  the  eife6l  of  the  reft. 


o 


We  difcover  in  the  look,  the  calmnefs  of  an  intelligent  and 
profound  obferyer,  eager  in  the  purfuit  of  knowledge,  and  al- 
ways meditating.  That  half-clofed,  bent-down  eye,  its  glance, 
the  fmallnefs  of  its  globe—that  fhortened  nofe— will  always  be 
the  eye  and  the  nofe  of  a  man  able  in  concerting  his  plans,  or, 
at  lead,  of  a  ftudious  man,  who  thinks  with  acutenefs  and  feels 
with  delicacy.  A  nofe  fo  formed,  neceuarjly  imports  a  turn, 
of  mind,  diilinguifliable  amongft  ten  thoufand  by  its  viva- 
city. 

What  truth  in  the  mouth  fo  fweetly  clofed  !  It  is  impofTible 
thex'e  to  overlook  applicatipn  and  enlargement  of  mind,  the  love 

of 


504  L  A  V  A  T  E  R    S      PHYSIOGNOMY. 

of  order,  elegance  of  di6lion,  and  failles  of  vivacity  ?  This 
part  is  move  jout/iful,  deligned  with  lefs  accuracy,  and  lefs  ex~ 
prellive  of  wifdom  than  N :  nor  is  the  nofe  either  correftly 
drau'n  or  neatly  finifhed.  We  obferve  anew  in  O,  the  large  un- 
[  flattened  chin,  not  too  *'flefhy,  but  happily  diverfified.  Upon 
the  whole,  take  notice  of  the  different  inflections  of  the  contour, 
frona  the  eye-bone  to  the  bottom  of  the  face,  and  you  will  every 
where  trace  the  fage,  familiarifed  with  the  iilence  of  night,  who 
ridicules  the  follies  of  world,  and  feeks  his  own  happinefs  in  the 
recreations  of  philofophy. 


*  Addition  P. 

Erasmus  after  Holbein, 

Here  we  eonfefs  the  portrait  of  Erafmus,  painted  after  Holbein, 
that  admirable  piece,  pregnant  with  foul  and  life,  which  is  in  the 
library  of  Bafle,  and  to  rival  the  excellency  of  which  no  engrav^ 
ing  can  poilibly  afpire.  However  great  its  fuperiority  to  the 
print,  the  pifture  difcovers,  in  many  rcfpe6l:s,  the  painter's  ina- 
bility to  produce  an  adequate  reprefentation  of  his  model.  But 
no  matter :  it  is  only  the  man  of  genius  who  can  comprehend 
thefublime,  elevate  himfelf  to  the  grandeur  of  his  fubjeft,  and  af- 
pire to  become  a  mafter  of  it— and  when  in  each  trait  of  the  work 
theartifl:  has  exerted  his  fkill,  and  afforded  proofs  of  his  wlUmg- 
nejs  to  fucceed,  it  is  not  his  fault,  if,  at  laft,  he  is  obliged  to  e;jj- 
ci^iim.  The  tafk  is  too  har4* 

In  this  copy  the  nofe  is. the  moft  confpicuous  part,  although 
the  end  of  it  is  not  drawn  with  fufficient  delicacv,  and  the  noflril 
is  wanting  in  neatnefs  and  truth.  I  Ihould  be  tempted  to  call  it 
a  ftrret-7iofey  and  to  aflbciate  with  it  a  charadler  refle6live  by  con^ 
ftitution,  and  circumfpeft  from  delicacy,  with  an  excefs  of  dif- 
fidence, rather  than  of  prefumption. 

The  jricuth  is  riot  to  be  mentipijed  without  diffidence.     The 

fwbtletv 


Page  2,0^ 


VoLm. 


LAV  A  TERS    PHYSIOGNOMY.  3 

fubtlety  of  the  mind  by  which  it  is  animated,  feems  to  exhale 
from  the  upper  lip ;  a  multitude  of  agreeable  ideas  concentre 
there,  like  colours  in  the  fun-beam.  The'chin  ought  to  have 
been  lefs  rounded,  and  more  angulous ;  the  uniform  evennefs  of 
the  furface,  injures  the  lower  part  of  the  face,  even  were  we  to 
adopt  an  earlier  time  of  life  for  this  portrait;  that  is  to  fay,  the 
period  mofl  correfponding  with  chins  of  this  form. 

I  add  the  profile  of  a  man,  wife,  honefl:,  lively,  judicious,  pi'o- 
found  and  religious.  Thp  nofe,  perhaps  expreilive  of  confidence, 
is  a  little  too  much  curved — but  what  force  and  penetration  in 
the  look  and  in  the  whole  phyfionomy. 


Addition  Q^ 

In  judging  of  the  form  of  the  nofe  from  thefe  four  fketches,  I. 
Ihall  fay  J  i.  Is  above  the  comrrion,  full  of  candour  and  dignity. 
2.  Has  a  chara6ler  of  grandeur,  approaching  to  the  fublime.  3. 
Is  inferior  to  i,  but  not  abfolutely  deflitute  of  merit.  4.  Joins, 
to  oreat  talents  much  firmnefs  and  vivacity. 

In  the  profile  5,  the  fhrewdnefs  and  fagacity  of  the  nofe  are  in 
perfect  harmony  with  the  whole  of  the  countenance,  which, 
without  having  any  thing  of  grandeur,  denotes  a  m^an  of  experi- 
ence, difpofed  to  beftow  benefits.  Seleft  thefe  kind  of  people  to 
prefide  in  the  municipal  government  of  a  town  or  diflriif,  and 
you  will  liave  no  caufe  to  regret  your  choice.  They  love  order, 
are  prudent,  gentle,  and  confciencious;  they  feck  thei;-  own  hap- 
pinefs  in  the  affeflion  and  efteeni  of  their  equals,  and  their  ac- 
tions are  regulated  in  conformity  with  thofe  fentiments. 


Addition  R, 

Th's  nearly  conveys  the  idea  of  a  nofe  aiove  the  human,  fuch 
as  correfpoads  with  the  majefty  of  the  holy  virgin,  in  whom 

there 


3C5  LAVAT£R*S    PHYSIOGNOMY. 

there  is  a  chara6leriftic  alTemblage  of  all  the  virtues,  purity,  meir 
ditation,  piety,  patience,  hope,  humility  !  But  the  lower  part 
of  the  contour  ought  to  have  been  more  fliaded  :  it  is  too  unva- 
ried to  accord  with  the  elegant  curving  of  the  eyebrow.  It  is  al- 
io to  be;  obferved,  that  an  expreffion  of  vqluptuoufnefs  refults 
from  the  too  much  rounding  of  the  mouth  as  well  as  the  chin, 
the  form  of  which  latter  is  very  (common. 


CHAP.     VI. 

Pf  the  Cheeks  and  Chin. 
I.  Of  the  Cheh. 

Properly  fpeaking,  the  Cheeks  are  not  parts  of  the  face.  They 
are  to  be  confidered  as  the  funds  of  the  other  partSj  or  rather  as 
the  fenfative  and  vivified  organs  of  the  countenance.  They  con- 
fiitute  the  fentiment  of  phyfionomy. . 

Flefliy  cheeks  in  general  indicate  a  moiftqre  of  temperament 
and  fenfual  appetite  ;  thin  and  contra(5led,  a  drynefs  of  humours 
and  difcontent.  Grief  forms  hollows  in -them — ignorance  and 
flupidity  imprint  them  with  deep  furrows. — Wifdom,  experience, 
and  ingenuity  of  mind,  lightly  interfe(51:  them  with  gently  undu- 
lating lines.  The  difference  in  the  phyfical,  moral,  and  intellectual 
chara6ler  of  man,  depends  upon  the  flatnefs  or  prominence  of 
the  mufcles,  their. depreflure,  their  foldings,  their  appearance  or 
im perceptibility,  andon  their  undulations,  or  rather,  onthe  undu- 
lations of  thofe  fmall  wrinkles  or  lines  which  are  determined  by 
the  fpecific  chara^er  of  th?  mufcles. 

<t 

Shew  to  an  experienced  and  difcriminating  phyiionomift,  the 

limple  contour  of  this  fe6lion  which  extends  from  the  lide  of  the 

noliril  to  the  chin,  Ihew  him  the  mufcle  in  a  flate  of  reft,  and 

When  in  motion  \  above  all,  fhew  it  him  at  that  inoment  when 


1  A  V  A  T  E  R  '  S    P  H  y  S  I  O  G  N  0  M  V.  JC^ 

it  is  agitated  by  fmiles  or  by  weeping,  by  a  fentiment  of  happinefs 
or  forrow,  by  pity  or  indignation — and  this  trait  alone  will  {up- 
ply  a  text  for  interefting  obfervations.  This  trait,  when  it  is 
marked  by  light  contours  gently  fiiaded,  has  infinite  expreffion ; 
its  difplays  the  finefl  fenfationsof  the  foul,  and  attentively  ftudied 
it  will  fufiice  to  infpire  the  moft  profound  veneration  and  the 
moft  tender  affection.  Our  painters  "almoft  always  negie<ft  itj 
and  their  portraits  very  difadvantageoufly  reprefent  it  by  an 
iniipid  and  frivolous  air  which  we  perceive  in  them. 

Certain  hollows,  more  or  lefs  triangular,  which  are  fometimes 
obferved  in  the  cheeks,  are  an  infallible  lign  of  envy  and  jealoufy. 
A  cheek  naturally  gracious,  v/ith  a  gentle  elafticity  plealingly 
railing  it  towards  the  eyes,  is  the  voucher  of  a  heart  beneficent, 
generous,  and  incapable  of  the  fmalieft  meannefs.  Place  not 
too  much  reliance  on  a  man  who  never  fmiles  agreeably.  The 
gracioufncfs  of  the  fmile  may  ferve  as  a  barometor,  to  afcertain 
the  goodnefs  of  the  heart  and  the  dignity  of  character. 


II.  Of  the  Chin, 

Long  experience  has  convinced  me,  that  a  proje6ting  chin  al* 
ways  announces  fomething  of  peremptorinefs,  while  a  receding 
chin  has  always  a  contrary  (ignification.  The  charafter  of  the 
energy  or  non-energy  of  the  individual  is  often  manifeftedby  the 
chin  only.  A  chin  divided  in  the  middle  by  a  ftrong  line,  feems 
indifpiitably  to  indicate  a  man  judicious,  fedate,  and  refolute,  at 
lead  if  this  trait  is  not  oppofed  by  others  that  are  contradiflory. 
We  Ihall  proceed  to  confirm  this  alTertion  by  examples. 

A  pointed  chin  is  generally  underftood  to  6e  the  fign  of  cun^- 
ning.  Yet  I  have  obferved  this  form  in  perfons  of  the  ftriclelt 
integrity;  with  them  cunning  was  but  difcerning  kindnefs.  A 
fiefliy,  loofe,  and  double  chin,  is,  for  the  mod  part,  the  mark  and 
the  effeft  of  fenfualitv.  Angular  chins  are  feldom  obferved 
bi»t  m  people  feniible.  firm,  and  benevolent.     Fiat  chins  fuppofe 

a  cold 


Jo^  LATA  term's    rHYSl6GN0MY. 

a  cold  and  dry  temperament.  Small  ones  charadife  timidity^. 
Round  ones  with  the  dimple  may  be  looked  upon  as  being  the 
pltdge  of  goodnefs. 

leilablifn  three  clafTes  for  the  different  forms  of  chins.  In  the 
firfl:,  I  rank  the  chins  that  recede.  In  the  fecond,.  thofe  which  in 
the  profile  are  perpendicular  with  the  lower  iip.  In  the  third, 
thofe  ^hat  piojecl  beyond  the  under-lip,  or,  in  othei*  woi;ci?, 
|)o'nted  chins.  The  receding  chin— which  we  may  boldly  call 
the  feminine  chin,  fince  it  is  found  in  almoft  all  perfons  of  the 
other  fex — always  makes  me  fufpeft  fome  imbecility.  Chins  of 
the  fecond  clafs  infpire  me  with  confidence,  provided  they  be 
not  exaggeratedly  prolonged,  which  form  generally  implies 
puiillanimity  and  avarice. 


C  tt  A  P.    VII. 

Of  the  Mouth  and  the  Lips; 

The  mouth  is  thq  reprefentative  and  expofitorof  the  mind  and 
the  heart.  ItcolleftS)  and,  in  its  fl:ate  of  reft,  as  well  as  by  the 
infinite  variety  of  its  movements,  difplays  a  world  of  characters. 
It  is  eloquent  even  in  its  filence.  This  part  of  the  bodv  I  hold 
in  fuch  veneration,  that  I  fcarcely  dare  to  make  it  the  fubje^t  of 
inveftigation.  What  an  objtft  of  admiration  !  How  fublime 
a  miracle  amidft  all  the  miracles  that  compofe  our  bting.  I\'Iy 
mouth  not  only  breathes  the  breath  of  life,  and  performs  the 
functions  which  I  have  in  common  with  the  brute,  but  it  alfo 
co-operates  in  the  formation  of  language  ;  it  fpeaks — it  fpeaks 
even  when  clofed.  Reader,  expeft  no  elucidation  from  me"  on 
the  m.oft  active  and  the  moft  exprelTive  of  all  our  organs:  the 
talk  is  beyond  the  extent  of  my  powers. 

How^  different  is  this  part  of  the  face  from  all  others  compre- 
hended under  that  name  !     At  once  more  fimple  and  more  com-' 

plicated, 


lavat£r's  PHYsroGNOMV.  ^og 

plicated,  it  c^n  neither  be  detached  nor  fixed.     Alas !  did  man 
but  know  and  feel  the  dignity  of  the  motith,  he  would  employ  it 
in  pouring  forth  divine  ejaculations,  and  his  words  would  faftify 
his  ailions.     Alas,  why  am  I  deprived  of  the  power  of  utterance, 
and  why  do  I  tremble,  when  I  attempt  to  defcribe  the  wonders 
of  this  organ,  which  is  the  feat  of  wifdom  and  of  folly,  of  virtue, 
and  of  vice,  of  brutality  and  of  delicacy  of  mind  ;  the  feat  of  love 
and  of  hatred,  of  fincerity  and  of  falfehood,  of  humility  and  of 
pride,  of  diffimulation  and  of  truth?     Alas!    Were  I  what  I 
ought  to  be,  my  mo\ith  ihould  be  opened,  Oh,  my  God,  to  ling 
thy  praifes  !     \Yonderful  ceconomy,  aftonifhing  myftery,  when 
wilt  thou  be  explained!    When  will  the  pleafure  of  the  Almigh- 
ty be  manifefted  ?     I  adore  here,  in  this  lev/  eflate,  although  I 
am  not  worthy  to  do  it,  but  I  fliall  be  fo  one  day,  as  much  as 
man  can  render  himfelf  fo,  for  he  who  created  me  has  given  me 
a  mouth  to  proclaim  my  adoration  of  him.     Why  are  we  not 
able  to  fearch  into,  and  to  knowourfelves  ?     May  not  the  obfer- 
vations  which  I  am  about  to  make  upon  the  mouth  of  my  bro- 
ther, have  application  to  m,yfelf  ?     Will  they  not  make  me  feel 
that  my  mouth  alfo  difcovers  the  feelings  of  my  heart  and  the 
ientiments  of  my  mind?     Humanity,  how  art  thou  degraded? 
How  great  will  be  my  extacy  in  the  hfe  eternal,  when  in  the  face 
of  Jefus  Chrift  my  eyes  Ihall  contemplate  the  mouth  of  the  di- 
vinity;  when  I  fliall  exclaim,  I  have  a  mouth  like  that  which  I 
adore,  and  I  dare  pronounce  the  name  of  him  who  has  given  it 
me !     Oh,  eternity,  the  hope  of  thee  alone  conftitutes  our  hapr 
pinefs ! 

I  conjure  our  painters  and  all  the  artifls  who  are  occupied  In 
the  delineation  of  the  form  of  man,  I  a^ain  exhort  them  to  fludv 
the  moll  precious  of  his  organs  in  all  its  varieties,  in  all  its 
harmony.  Begin  by  fcjj-ming  fome  charaderiflic  mouths  upon 
plafter,  copy  them,  take  them  for  models,  and  from  them  learn 
to  form  a  judgment  of  the  originals.  Study  the  (ame  mouth 
for  whole  days  together,  and  fedulouily  employ  your  attention 
upon  many  mouths  in  all  the  diverfiries  which  they  will  be  found 
to  polTefs.     After  faying-  thus  much,  muft  I  confeG,  that  amoiigft 

tvventv 


3?d  t  A  V  A  T  E  R  *S    P  H  y  S  I  6  G  NO  M  Y. 

twenty  workmen  employed  for  fix  years  under  my'  own  immedi- 
ate infpe£tion,  to  whom  i  was  conftantly  giving  inftruftions  and 
direftions,  not  one  of  them  has  fucceeded,  I  do  not  fay  in  feeling 
what  couJd  be  felt,  but  only  in  feizing,  and  in  reprefenting  what 
was  palpable  ?  After  this,  what  fuccefs  is  to  be  expected  ?  How- 
ever^  1  expecfi:  feveral  moulds  in  plafter  ;  they  are  eafy  to  be 
made,  and  may  of  themfeives  fuffice  to  furnifli  a  cabinet.  But 
who  knows  ?  perhaps  our  obfervations  too  precife  and  too  poii- 
tive  on  the  human  mouth,  may  lead  us  too  far ;  the  career  of 
our  phynonomical  difcoveries  may  becom^e  too  rapid  ;  the  veil, 
too  fuddenly  drawn  afide,  may  prefent  too  afliicling  a  fpeclacle ; 
th^  fhnck  may  be  too  powerful— and  perhaps  it  is  for  this  reafon, 
that  the  wifdom  of  providence  conceals  fuch  objefts  from  our 
view.  My  foul  is  opprefTed  with  the  reflexions  arilingfrom  this 
melancholy  idea.  You  who  know  how  to  appreciate  the  dignity 
of  human  nature— and  you  whoie  hearts,  though  poltefTed  of 
lefs  fenlibility,  will  always  be  dear  to  mine,  excufe  the  complaint^ 
that  do  not  afFed  you. 

Carefully  obferve  in  each  m.outli,  a.  The  upper  and  undet 
hp,  feparately.  b.  The  line  refulting  from  their  junftion,  wheii 
they  are  pleafingly  cloftd,  or  when  they  may  be  fo  without  ef- 
fort, c.  The  centre  of  the  upper  lip,  d.  and  that  of  the  lower 
one;  each  of  thefe  poins  in  particular,  e.  The  bafe  of  the  line 
in  the  middle,  f.  And  the  point  where  this  terminates  on  each 
fide. 

Without  thefe  dl{iin<^ions  it  is  hot  poffible  either  Ikilfiilly  td 
delineate  or  accurately  ro  judge  of  the  mouth.  A  perfe6t  cor- 
refpondence  is  to  be  obferved  between  the  lip,  and  the  character. 
Whether  they  be  firm,  or  yielding  and  flexible,  the  chara6ler  is 
always  analogous.  Full  and  well  proportioned  lip'^,  prefenting 
the  two  fides  of  the  middle  line  equally  well  ferpeitined,  and 
eafily  to  be  retraced  in  defighs — fuch  lips  are  incompatible  with 
meanne's  ;  they  are  alio  repugnant  to  falfehood  and  wickednefs, 
and  at  moil  we  may  fometimes  aicribe  to  them  a  little  difpofition 
to  voluptuoufnefs.     A  contradced  mouth,  with  the  cleft  running 

in 


IlATAtjr'j   physiognomy.  311 

In  a  llrait  line,  and  the  edge  of  the  lips  not  appearing,  is  a  cer- 
tain Cign  of  prefence  of  mind,  application,  and  the  love  of  order, 
punduallity,  and  cleanlinefs.  If  at  the  fame  time  the  extremit)r 
rifes  on  each  fide,  a  fund  of  affe<5tation,  pretention,  and  vanity 
is  fuppofed,  and  perhaps  alfo  fome  portion  of  maUce^  the  common 
■  efFeft  of  levity.  Flefhy  lips  have  always  to  contend  with  fenfuali- 
ty  and  indolence.  Dry  and  proje6ting  ones,  incline  to  timidity 
and  avarice.  When  they  ciofe  agreeably  and  without  effort,  and 
the  defjgn  of  them  is  correct,  they  indicate  a  character  firm,  re- 
fie(5ling,  and  judicious.  An  upper  lip  a  little  inclining  towards 
the  lower  one,  is  a  deftinftive  mark  of  goodnefs;  not  that  I  ab- 
folutely  deny  this  quality  to  an  advancing  lower  lip,  but  in  this 
cafe  I  rather  expe6l  a  cold  butfincere  good-nature,  than  the  {qh" 
timent  of  impaffioned  tendernefs.  An  under  lip  which  finks  in 
the  middle,  only  belongs  to  fprightly  imaginations.  Look  atten- 
tively at  a  man  of  gaiety,  at  a  moment  when  he  is  about  to  utter 
a  fally  of  the  mind,  and  you  will  obferve  the  centre  of  the  lip  in- 
variably to  fall  into  a  gentle  hollow.  A  very  clofe  mouth  (if  it 
be  not  the  efteft  of  defign)  announces  courage,  and  the  very  per- 
fons  who  are  habituated  to  keep  their  mouth  open,  ordinarily 
ciofe  it,  when  their  courage  is  about  to  be  put  to  the  proof.  Aa 
open  mouth  is  plaintive,  a  ciofed  one  fuffers  with  pvitience. 

That  flefhy  part  covering  the  upper  range  of  the  teeth,  and 
leading  to  the  lip,  has  no  name,  that  I  am  acquainted  with,  in 
anatomy  :  I  fliall,  therefoi'e,  give  it  that  of  courthie  or  pallium* 
This  part  ha  hitherto  been  wholly  neglected  by  phyfiognomifts, 
but  I  have  paid  particular  attention  to  it  in  mofi:  of  the  heads  on 
which  1  have  commented.  The  more  this  fcftion  is  flrengthen- 
ed,  the  more  the  lip  recedes.  When  this  is  large  and  arched,  the 
interval  feparating  it  from  the  nofe,  is  Ihort  and  concave  ;  an 
additional  proof  of  the  conformity  in  the  different  traits  of  the 
countenance.  T\\^ pallium  is  moHly  perpendicular:  its  concavi- 
ty is  very  rare,  a^;  aie  the  characters*  v^^hich  adirjit  of  ihat  form. 


?:  A*- 


pZ  LA  V  AT  Er's    P  H  V  S  I  OGNdMV. 


Addition  A. 

.  i.  This  mouth  prornifes  a  fagacioiis  refervation,  aptitude  la 
bufinefs,  and  firmnefs.  Here  we  behoW  the  gravity  of  a  philof©- 
pher,  who  weighs  fyllables,-  and  is  ftot,  without  penetration,  2. 
Gives  the  idea  of  thefatirical  wit  and  lively  imagination  of  a 
Sterne.  I  would  allow  him  the  gift  of  eloquence,  and  an  energy 
exempt  from  violence.  3.  Has  manly  courage,  with  a  little  coarfe- 
nefs,  if  you  will,  but  is  firm  and  iincere.  Add  to  that,  judgment 
without  deptb^  and  good-will  without  partiality.  4.  Is  referved, 
the  effect  of  difdain;  he  has  vivacity,  infignificancy,  and  the  pre- 
tention of  a  man  who  is  fure  to  ftrike  hard  blo^vs.  The  under 
lip  does  not  appear  at  all,  and  the  upper  one  is  fcarcely  percepti- 
ble. Nothing  in  the  leall  like  an  agreeable  flexion.  It  is  a 
itrong-bent  bow  ready  to  difcharge  a  mortal  weapon,  aimed  in- 
differently at  the  innocent  or  guilty.  He  muft  be  a  wicked  man 
who  has  fuch  a  mouth. 

But  1-t  us  not.  forget  one  eiTcntial  obfervation  :  it  is  that  aged 
people,  who  in  their  youth  had  the  under  jaw  projecting,  and 
who  have  loft  their  upper  teeth,  rnay  fometimescontraft  amouth 
approaching  to  4.  But  with  a  character  naturally  good,  it  takes 
a  curvature,  and  not  eafily  aillimes  that  form  ;  there  will  always 
remain  a  teint  of  .fweetnefs  and  good-humour,  recommending 
him  to  ihc  eyes  cf  the  connoiileur. 


Additioi^  B. 

Vou  doubtlefs  will  not  fuppofe  thefe  to  be  the  months  of  weak 
perfons. 

I.  This  air  of  thoughtfulnefs  and  equanimity  is  founded  upon 
reafon.     He  is  prudent  in  his  intentions  and  in  his  judgments  ; 

lexi 


sn  1 


305 


iAVATER's    FHYSIOCSNOMV.  313 

t  expeft  from  him  only  the  words  of  truth  and  the  oracles  of  wis- 
dom. 2.  Do  not  condemn  this  on  aCco^int  of  that  large  and  ad- 
vancing lip,  though  It  muft  be  allowed  that  it  may  be  the  caufe 
or  the  effeft  of  fome  weaknefs.  This  mouth  is  not  deficient  in 
fenfe  ;  he  underftarids  his  iiiterefts,  is  mfceptible  of  attention,  and 
his  decilions  have  weight  e  .ough  to  be  adopted  in  cafes  of  necef- 
fity.  3.  Is  peaceable,  afFeftiofate,  perfuafive,  eafy  tobe  afFecled^ 
and  as  harmlefs  as  a  child  ;  but  notwithftanding  this,  he  pofftiles 
•a  certain  degree  of  firmnefs,  and  his  punAuality  may  be  relied 
.on.  4.  Is  lefs  Ihaded,  lefs  delic-ue  than  the  preceding,  more  fe^ 
rious  in  his  amufements;  but  it  implies  no  bafenefs,  and  equally 
imports  a  chara6ter  calm,  peaceable,  and  folid. 


Addition  C; 

i.  Tills  mouth  will  fpeak  ill  of  no  one ;  rhalice  is  baniflied 
from  thofe  lips;  they  refleft  before  they  promife,  and  are  punc- 
tual in  the  difcharge  of  the  fmallell  engagements.  2.  Maturely 
fearcbes  and  examinei  deliberately ;  he  turns  to  profitable  ac- 
count all  that  reaches  the  ear;  there  is  neither  harlhnefs  nor  an- 
ger in  his  words ;  his  affe^tiohate  chara£ter  breathes  oiily  tender- 
nefs.  With  more  judgment  than  the  preceding,  he  has  not  lefs 
tandour.  The  under  lip  is  not  fo  delicate  as  the  midrlle  line 
promifes.  3,  The  upper  lip  is  too  much  (liaded,  and  h  beiides 
exaggerated  in  the  drawing ;  even  in  modifying  this  trait,  yod 
cannot  efface  the  expreflion  of  voluptuoufnefs,  fdpperyj  and 
pride. 


Addition    D. 

I.  This  has  much  agreement  with  No.  i  in  the  preceding 
plate.  I  believe  them  both  to  be  drawn  after  the  fame  original, 
but  in  a  different  tafte  and  fpirit.  The  fliade  encom.paffing  the 
under  lip  is  an  enigma  to  m.e.     With  refped  to  the  reft,  I  per^ 

X  a  ceive 


314  xavater's   physiognomy. 

<?cive  in  this  mouth  more  calmnefs,  grandeur,  and  good-nature, 
than  in  the  other  copy.  3.  Languifties  with  a  paflion  which  it 
does  not  yet  defpair  to  gratify,  and  which  it  will  continue  to  in- 
dulge, without  being  very  delicate  as  to  the  juftnefs  of  the  means. 
The  lips  are  too  incorreft  to  admit  of  any  pofitivc  fignification. 
At  moft,  the  meaning  is  only  to  be  conjeftured ;  the  lower  one  is 
^xceffively  coarfe.  3.  In  this  I  difcover  gaiety,  and  the  malig- 
nity of  a  voluptuary  having  but  little  delicacy,  who  loves  his 
;eaie,  and  facrifices  every  thing  to  pleafure.  4.  Prefents  to  you 
a  character  fiacere,  honeft,  and  generous,  but  without  urbanity. 


Addition  E. 

I.  Though  this  mouth  is  incorrefftly  defigncd,  and  though  I 
fuppofe  him  of  a  chara61er  naturally  good,  I  neverthelefs  per- 
ceive that  he  mingles  fome  degree  of  malignity  with  his  fallies. 
2.  This  is  fuperior  to  the  preceding,  both  with  refpe^t  to  the 
heart  and  underflanding.     3.  If  this  has  not  the  fame  brightnefs 
of  fancy,  that  deficiency  is  compenfated  by  a  found  underfland- 
ing and  a  folidity  of  reflection.     4».  Incorruptible  probity,  inva- 
riable difcretion,  confummate  wifdom.     It  is  pity  that  to  thefe 
efttmable  qualities  is  joined  a  fund  of  obftinacy  that  fcarcely 
K  leaves  any  room  for  fenlibility.     5.  It  is  eafy  to  difcover  that  this 
mouth  is  abfoibed  in  profound  attention,  and  that  it  is  anxious 
in  the  purAiit  of  knowledge.     6.  Dignity  approaching  to  haugh- 
tinefs,  contempt  of  all  meannefs.     7.   Great  good  fenfe,  which 
fiiffers  itfelf  to  be  obfcured  by  indolence,    contemning  every 
thing,  and  confequently  wanting  delicacy.     8.  Heroic  courage 
governed  by  deliberate  reafon,  which  having  formed  its  projects 
M'ith  coolnefs,  unchangeably  adheres  to  his  refolutions.     9.  Has 
good-nature,   tafte,  and   fagacity.      10.  With  a  more  polilhed 
mind,  and  a  more  exalted  imagination,  is  plunged  into  voluptu- 
oufnefs.     1 1.  The  livelinefs  exprefled  here  is  poifoned  by  malig- 
nancy; and  when  occafion  offers  he  will  not  fcruple  to  purfue 
indired  courfes.     1 2.  A<5ls  only  from  dilates  of  reafon  ;  he  ex- 
amines 


Pope  2,14. 


Voim. 


.    noo 


FafJ^?A.^- 


Vr.i.m. 


LAVATfi  R*S    PH  YSIOCNOMY.  JI^ 

amines  things  in  all  their  different  points  of  view,  and  never  de- 
cides but  upon  full  conviction. 


Addition  F. 

If  you  were  aiked  to  which  of  thefe  nine  mouths  you  would 
affign  the  preference,  I  think  you  would  not  be  embarrafled  in 
forming  your  opinion.  Your  choice  certainly  would  not  fall  up- 
on No.  6 ;  you  unqueftionably  would  exclude  him.  You  would 
alfo  pafs  by  4  and  ^,  and  all  the  bottom  row,  but  in  the  upper 
one,  you  would  flop  at  2 ;  in  him  you  will  find  fweetnefs,  deli- 
cacy, circumfpe6f ion,  goodnefs,  and  modeily ;  fuch  a  mouth  is 
made  for  loving  and  to  be  beloved ;  the  only  fault  which  the  phy- 
fiognomift  can  here  condemn,  is  that  of  the  under  lip  being  thicker 
than  the  upper  one,  a  difparity  never  to  be  difcovered  in  lips  ac- 
curately delineated.  It  is  not  necefiary  to  infill  upon  the  charac- 
ters of  coarfenefs,  ftupidity,  inattention,  weaknefs  andfenfuality^ 
which,  more  or  lefs,  disfigure  the  other  mouths  in  this  plate.  No. 
7  is  that  which  difcovers  moft  genius,  that  which,  with  a  fund  of 
goodnefs,  deferves  notice  for  his  original  and  pleafant  ideas.  8. 
]s  no  more  than  a  grofs  carricature ;  but  I  deny  to  him  neither 
good  fenfe  nor  livelinefs.  9.  Is  ftill  more  defe(ftive,  though  per- 
haps more  enlivened  in  his  contracted  fphere.  i.  Is  in  every  fenfe 
repugnant  to  nature  and  to  truth.  The  upper  lip  of  3  promifes 
qualities  which  are  contradi6led  by  the  under  one;  4  belongs  to 
the  fame  degenerate  race  ;  5  is  of  a  ftill  more  inferior  clafs,  and 
6,  in  its  turn,  is  below  5.  In  general  a  ftrongly  projecting  imdeir 
lip,  fleihy  to  excefs,  and  of  a  difagreeable  form,  is  never  the  fign 
of  underftanding  and  probity,  never  can  it  admit  of  that  delicacy 
which  is  the  touch-ftone  of  a  clear  and  found  judgment ;  but,  oa 
the  other  fide,  let  us  not  forget  carefully  to  take  into  the  account 
whatever  an  advanced  period  of  life,  accidents,  or  the  negligence 
of  the  defigner  mav  have  added  to  the  deformity  of  this  trait  fo 
cxprelfive  and  fo  eafy  to  be  mifreprefented. 


X  3  Addi' 


3  l6  L  A  V  A  T  E  R  *  S     PHYSIOGNOMY. 


Addition  G, 

Three  principal  clafies  may  be  admitted  for  the  difF'^rent  forms 
of  the  mouth.  In  the  firfl  I  rank  thofe  of  the  upper  lip  which 
inclines  towards  the  lower  one  ;  this  conformation  is  the  diftific- 
tive  fign  of  goodnefs.  I  comprehend  under  the  fecond  kind, 
thofe  mouths  which  have  the  two  lips  equally  advanced,  fo  that  a 
rule  being  applied  to  the  two  extremities  defcribes  a  perpendicu- 
lar ;  this  is  the  clafs  of  people  honeft  and  fmcere.  I  eftablifli  a 
third  for  the  mouths  whofe  under  lip  advances  beyond  the  uppeir 
one  ;  but  the  proje6ture  of  the  under  lip  varies  fo  prodigioully, 
its  contours  are  fo  diverfified,  and  fo  difficult  to  be  afcertained  in 
defign,  that  a  general  qualification  m-"ght  eaiily  give  room  for 
errors  and  abufes.  However,  I  think  I  fliall  offend  no  one  in 
affigning  this  conformation  of  the  mouth  to  temperate  charafters, 
who  have  a  mixture  of  flegm  and  vivacity.  If  the  three  claffes, 
were  to  be  defined  by  their  generical  names,  I  would. call  the 
iirfl,  the  fetiiimentali  the  fecond,  the  Icyal,  the  third,  the  irritable. 


Addition  H. 

You  fee  this  is  not  the  head  of  an  ordinary  man.  That  eye 
fays  all  that  it  defires,  and  defires  all  that  it  fays  \  a  look  fo  lively,  fa 
animated  and  fo  penetrating,  retains  and  appropriates  all  that  he 
ieizes  out  of  himfelf,  but  he  produces  nothing  out  of  his.  own  pro- 
per funds.  The  nofe  is  middling  ;  it  is  neither  remarkable,  nor 
to  be  confounded  with  others;  and  if  it  muft  be  reduced  to  the 
common  clafs,  it  has  nothing  of  abjeftnefs.  The  mouth  indicates 
good  fenfe,  fluency  of  language,  and  voJaptuous  inclinations, 
The  angle  rifing  from  the  lip,  is  not  natural,  and  for  that  reafoi\ 
is  difguffing. 


ApDi-. 


308 


lavater's   physiognomy.  317 


Addition  I. 

An  energetic  fenfuality,  addiction  to  grofs  indulgence,  a  free- 
dom of  temper,  with  little  knowledge,  the  higheft  poflible  degree 
of  a.fanguine  temperament^  mixed  with  phlegm— -thefe  com- 
pofe  the  character  of  that  half-open  mouth.  The  look  is  not 
without  cunning,  and  the  nofe  alfo  has  expreiSon,  but  the  mouth 
is  not  the  leaft  diftindive  part  of  this  face.  .I.recommend  my;* 
readers  always  to  begin  with  examining  and  determinino-  with; 
the  moft  fcrupulous  exaflnefs  upon  the  predominant  trait  of  each 
phyfiognomy ;  I  exhort  them,  at  the  fame  time,  not  to  attach 
themfelves  to  that  trait  exclufively.  We  muft  embrace  nature 
in  her  whole  extent,  and  it  would  be  abfurd  to  expect  to  reap 
liarveft  in  the  lands  left  in  fajiovy. 


Ad.dition  K. 

A  greatperfonageought  never  to  be  reprefented  in  miniature,-  but 
when  even  in  the  miniature  the  ch^ricler  of  his  dignity  is  pre-' 
ferved,  when  we  there  recognize  the  unalterabfe'ti^aits  of  his  pri- 
mitive -energy,  we  have  ftrong  reafon  for  looking  up  refpet^fuliy 
to  the  original.  Only  a  man  experienced,  folid,  determinedj 
fure  of  his  plan  and  of  his  object,  -  could  have  furnillied  the 
idea  0^  the  profile  in  plate  L,  Although  a  copy  fo  reduced 
muft  necefiarily  lofe  much,  fliii  v.'e  find  in  this  a  truth  of  expref- 
lion  from  which  we  cannot  but  deduce  the  mod  aufpicous  omen. 
Such  a  look,  enforced  by  fo  judicious  a  forehead,  carries  diftinc- 
tive  marks.  What  fagacity  in  the  foi-m  of  the  noft !  What  juil- 
nefs,  what  accuracy,  what  firmnefs,  and  what  perfeverance  muft 
he  have  with  fuch  a  mouth  !  What  boldnefs  with  fuch.a  chin  • 
All  this  infallibly  fuppofes  a  foul  courageous  and  elevated. 

X4  CHAP- 


^it  lavater's  physiognomy. 

CHAP.    VIII. 

Of  the  Teeth. 

There  is  nothing  more  pofitive,  more  ftriking,  or  more  con* 
vincing,  than  the  charafteriftic  fignification  of  the  teeth,  consi- 
dered not  only  with  refpeft  to  their  form,  but  alfo  with  refpeft 
to  the  manner  in  which  they  prefent  tliemfeJvesto  view.  On 
this  head  I  have  made  fome  obfervations,  which  I  ihall  commu- 
nicate to  my  readers.  ^ 

Small  and  fliort  teeth^  which  the  ancient  phyfiognomifls  looked 
upon  as  the  fign  of  a  weak  conftitution,  are  according  to  my  opini- 
on, in  adult  perfons,  the  iignof  extraordinary  flrength  of  body.  I 
have  alfo  found  them  in  perfons  gifted  with  a  great  fhare  of  pene- 
tration, but  neither  in  the  one  nor  the  other  cafe  were  they  either 
very  well  formed,  or  very  white.  Long  teeth  are  a  certain  indi- 
cation of  weaknefs  and  timiditiy.  Teeth  that  are  white,  even, 
and  regularly  ranged,  which,  on  the  moment  when  the  mouth 
opens,  feem  to  advance  without  fuddenly  jutting  forward,  and 
which  do  not  always  render  themfelves  entirely  vifible,  decidedly 
announce,  in  a  man  who  has  attained  to  the  years  of  maturity> 
an  affable  and  poliflied  mind,  and  a  good  and  honeft  heait.  Not 
but  a  very  eflimable  charafter  may  have  fpoiied,  ugly,  or  un- 
even teeth  ;  but  this  phyfical  derangement  for  the  mofl  part  ac- 
crues in  the  time  of  fieknefs,  or  from  the  mixture  of  fome  moral 
jmperfedion. 

He  who  is  not  careful  of  his  teeth,  who  does  ndt  at  leafl  endea- 
vour to  preferve  them  in  a  good  ftate,  betrays  by  that  very  neg- 
ligence his  fentiments  of  bafenefs.  The  form  of  the  teeth,  their 
pofition,  and  their  neatnefs,  (as  far  as  this  laft  depends  on  our- 
felves)  point  out  more  plainly  thaa  may  'pe  imagined,  our^  tafte§ 
^nd  inclinations, 

Whe,l 


Tagey^. 


ToLirr. 


30J 


lAvat^r's  physiognomy.  319 

When  upon  the  firft  opening  of  the  lips,  the  gums  of  the  upper 
range  plainly  appear,  I  generally  expect  much  coldnefs  and 
phlegm.  The  teeth  alone  might  fupply  the  fubjed  for  a  large 
volume,  and  yet  our  painters  neglt^l  them,  or  more  properly 
fpeaking,  entirely  omit  them  in  their  hiftoric  pieces.  Endea- 
vour to  fix  your  attention  upon  this  part,  itudy  it  in  the  weak 
irfan,  in  the  hypocrite,  and  in  the  villain,  and  you  will  fee  to  what 
an  extent  it  is  expreflive,  whether  in  itfelf  in  particular,  or  in  its 
relation  to  the  lips.  Here  i  conclude,  left  I  fliould  be  tempted 
to  divulge  fecrets  which  might  give  offence  or  be  mjfunder- 


C  H  A  P.    IX. 

Of  the  Ears. 

I  ingenuoufty  confefs,  that  this  fubjeft  is  fomewhat  new  to  me, 
and  that  I  fhall  not  undertake  to  decide  upon  it  with  cettainty. 
However,  I  am  fully  convinced  that  the  ear,  as  well  as  the  other 
parts  of  the  human  body,  and  perhaps  more  than  fome  of 
them,  has  its  determinate  fignificaticn,  that  it  admits  not  of  the 
fmalleft  difguife,  and  that  it  has  a  particular  analogy  to  the  indi- 
vidual to  which  it  belongs.  All  phyfiognomicai  ftudy  muft  be 
founded  on  exa6l  defigns,  upon  examinations  and  comparifons 
frequently  repeated.  I  requeft  attention  to  what  I  have  to  ob- 
ferve  with  refpeft  to  the  ear.  i.  To  the  whole  of  its  form,  and 
its  fize.  2.  To  its  contours  interior  and  exterior,  its  cavities  and 
its  foldings.  3.  To  its  pofition;  whether  it  be  clofe  to  the  fide 
of  the  head  or  detached  from  it.  Examine  this  part  in  a  man  of 
courage  and  a  coward,  in  a  philofopher  and  in  a  man  of  a  natu- 
rally weak  underftanding,  and  you  will  foon  perceive  the  diltinc- 
tive  differences  appertaining  to  each  charafter.  In  A,  I  fee  not 
a  fingle  form  that  can  be  fufpefted  of  ftupidity  ;  I  even  believe 
them  all  above  the  middling,  and  thofe  in  the  centre  have  a 
Jtroiig  appearance  of  a  fagacious  and  enlightened  mind, 

Addi- 


SZO  L  A  V  AT  E  R  -S    P  H  y  S  I0(»NOM  Y.  , 

Addition  A. 

V     .  Nine  Ears. 

Having  yet  made  but  little  progrefs  in  the  ftudy  of  the  ear,  I 
fliall  necefTariJy  find  difficulty  in  giving  a  decifive.and  fatisfaftory 
iliuftration  to  the  additions  to  this  chapter.  The  comparifon  of 
of  the  extremes,  together  with  time,  will  furnifh  me  with  more 
certain  indu6lion:. ;  thongli  I  believe  I  ihall  riik  nothing  in  af- 
jferting  that  amongft  the  defigns  in  the  annexed  plate,  not  one 
is  to  be  found  chara6leriftic  of  imbecility. 

I,  Appears  to  me  to  have  moif  delicacy /^nd  mofl:  weaknefs. 
2.  Is  more  fubtle,  jnore  attentive,  and  more  reflexive  3.  Sur- 
pafTes  I  in  refpe6t  of  aftiv.ity  and  energy.  I  alfo  difcover  a  pro- 
dudive  genius,  rich  in  talents,  and  particularly  in  the  gift  of  elo- 
quence, ,  .  Nearly  the  fame  definition  may  be  applied  to  this, 
but  with  fome  modifications,  the  reafon  of  which  I  fegrch  for  in 
the  upper  part.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Terpentine  contour  fur. 
rounding  the  caviry,  may  probably  be  the  fign  of  <7ood-nature. 
5.  Has  much  more  weaknefs  and  meannefs  than  2,  3,  and  4.  It 
has  alfo  more  fmoothnefs,  and  is  lefs  (haded.  1  except,  notwith- 
flahding,  the  point  below  the  hollow,  which  in  defpite  of  a  me- 
diocrity of  faculties,  feems  to  imply  a  particular  talent,  but  of 
what  kind  I  am  ignorant.  7.  According  to  my  text,  this  ear  an- 
nounces a  man  modeft,  humhie,  gentle,  perhaps  timid  and  fear- 
ful. 8  and  9.  Thefe,  particularly 'the  laff,  cannot  agree  with  • 
minds  of  the  ordinary  cafF. 

It  would  be  interefling  to  collet  a  certain  number  of  different 
and  known  heads,  and  toabllra<51  from  them  the  proper  and  fpeci- 
fic  character  of  their  ears.  In  thofenovv  before  us,  there  is  an  air 
of  freedom  in  the'  part  called  the  tip,  which  may  be  always 
Gccmed  a'l^vourable  omen  with  regard  to.  inrelkaual  faculties.' 

Addi^ 


FcUje^ZiK 


Yoim. 


li 


v_  / 


l'S»BEiSKSlsSSPS&SSSaS5S3f3.-SS=;^ 


Mi) 


BiMje^'U 


YolM, 


511 


Facje  o^2L . 


Vol.TR. 


I.  A  V  A  T  E  R  '  S    P  H  Y  S  I  O  G  N  0  M  Y.  32! 


.^■:,\ 


Addition   B. 
Twelve  Ears. 


Each  of  thefe  forms  varies  as  to  length,  the  Form  of  the  cavity, 
the  exterior  contours,  and  the  hollowing  in  the  middle.  Neither 
of  them  would  equally  correfpond  with  different  heads ;  each 
bears  the  imprint  of  an  individual  chara6ler. 

I.  Claims  the  firft  place  for  gentlenefs,  fimplicity,  modelly  and 
candour.  2.  Has  more  variety,  and  is  more  fufceptible  of  im- 
provement. 3.  Is  more -delicate,  more  enlivened,  and  more  at- 
tentive than  the  two  preceding  one^.  4. 1  dare  maintain  that  this 
does  not  belong  to  an  ordinary  man  ;  but  perhaps  it  has  not  the 
quicknefs  of  j .  5 ,  This  appears  to  be  the  moil  original  and  the 
moft  animated  of  the  twelve.  6.  Is.more  phlegmatic  than  3,  4, 
and  5,  lefs  fenlible  than  the  laft,  but  of  rnuch  greater  capacity 
than  I,  7.  Replete  with  underftanding  and  fubtlety.  8.  The 
rounding  of  the  upper  contour  is  very  fingular ;  I  know  hot  ho\7  - 
to  fpeak  of  it :  but  I  doubt  whether  it  has  the  merit  of  the  pre- 
ceding one.  9.  I  fufpett  him  of  fome  fliare  of  timidity  ;  but  I 
allow  him  to  be  jufi:  and  aftive.  10.  Appears  to  mc  infigniticant, 
thoughtlefs,  volatile  and  frivolous  ;■  his  facility  is  impofing.  11, 
Has  circumfpe6lion  unaccompanied  with  any  fpecies  of  courage. 
12.  Scarcely  admits  of  violent  pallions.  I  here  difcover  niodefty 
and  fweetn^fs  of  temper,  founded  on  nobie  fentimests. 


Addition  C. 

T.  Seems  to  be  formed  for  a  man  capable  of  acquiring-  and  of 
communicating  a  knowledge  of  the  fciences ;  for  a  padagogue 
who  mechanically  coljefts  diverfihed  information.  2.  Can  only 
belong  to  amaxiof  exce/I;ve  weaknefs.    That  Urge  and  fmooth 

form 


J22  L  A  r  A  T  E  R     S    P  H  Y  5  I  O  G  N  O  M  Y* 

form,  the  imperfect  rounding  in  the  contours,  may  indeed  fub-» 
iift  with  the  fuperior  facnUies  frequently  found  in  the  ears  of 
muiical  people— but  when  the  whole  k  fo  flat  and  coarfe,  it  cer- 
tainly excludes  genius.  3.  Has  too  much  precifion  to  fuppofe 
a  dull  mind;  but  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  too  rounded  and  too 
piaffive  to  point  out  a  man  of  extraordinary  talonts. 


c  H  A  p.   X- 

Of  the  Neck. 

That  part  conne^ing  the  head  and  the  breaft  is  fignihcant', 
like  all  the  other  parts  of  the  human  frame.  Figure  to  yourfelf 
on  one  hand,  alongandflender  neck,  and  in  the  otheraihortand 
large  ojie,  and  judge  whether  each  of  thefe  forms  will  not  require 
a  different  kind  of  head.  What  is  there  not  to  be  expreffed  by 
the  flexibility  or  ftifnefs  of  the  neck !  Some  netks  appear  from 
their  ftrudure  intended  to  lower,  others  to  raife  the  head,  thefe 
to  move  it  forward,  thofe  to  draw  it  back—  and  here  kt  it  be  ob- 
ferved,  by  the  way,  that  thefe  diftinftions  may  be  applied  to  the 
variations  in  our  faculties,  and  that  in  correfpondence  with  thefe, 
the  human  mind  becomes  afpiring  or  finks  into  fervility ;  it  ad- 
vances or  it  retreats.  We  know  that  certain  fpecies  of  goitres 
are  the  infallible  fign  of  folly  and  ftupidity,  while  a  well  propor- 
tioned neck  is  an  inconteflible  recommendation  for  folidity  of 
chara<fter.  In  fhort,  a  diverlity  in  the  form  of  the  neck  prevails 
throughout  the  animal  creation,  and  in  molt  quadrupedes  this 
part  marks  their  ftate  of  vigour  or  feeblenefs.  It  is  not  impof- 
fible  to  analyfe  this  truth  by  details.  I  referve  the  mofl  efFential 
for  the  additions  concluding  this  leflure,  and  I  requeft  the  reader 
not  to  forget,  that  I  am  obliged  to  confine  myfelf  to  the  colleft^ 
ing  of  materials,  without  being  able  to  employ  myfelf  in  the 
conftru£lion  of  the  edifice.  I  will  add  but  another  word.  It 
is,  that  an  oblervation  on  the  turn  of  the  neck  was  the  firfl 
germe  of  my  favourite  iludy,  as  I  have  before  faid  in  the  firft 

k<fture 


tA  V^T  ER's  ,P  H  YS,IOGNpMY.  JSJ 

lecture  ^o  volume  1.  ,Kad  this  part  then  appeaj:ed  lefs  ftriking 
and  lefs  iignificant,  it  is  very, probable  I  (liouid  never  have  written 
a  ilngjeiijie  on  the  (cience  of  phyfiognomy . 

C  HA  P.     XL 

Gf  thje  Hais.  and  the  Beard, 

If  the  hair  cannot  be  include(5  in  thennmber  of  the  menftbers  of 
the  human  body,  it  is  at  leaft  an  adherent  part.  Having  already 
more  than  once  pronounced  phyflognomical  judgments  upon  this 
fubjeifV,  we  fliall  here  colleA  fome  obfei  vations,  ancient  and  mo* 
dern,  -general  and  particular,  fome  of  them  properJy  belonging 
to  the  prefent  work  and  the  others  being  borrowed.  The  hair 
prefents  multiplied  evidences  of  the  temperature  of  man,  of  his 
energy,  of  his  manner  of  feeling,  and  confequently  of  the  facul- 
ties of  his  mind;  it  is  capable  of  no  diHimulation ;  it  has  re- 
lation to  our  phyficai  conftitution,  as  plants  and  fririt  havt  rela- 
tion to  the  foil  which  produces  them.  You  mufl  carefully  «b- 
ferve,  ^)  the  length  of  the  hair;  6)  its  quantity  and  the  manner 
-in  which  it  is  planted;  c)  its  quality,  whether  it  be  Heek  and 
ilexible,  or  curled;  d)  its  colour.  Longhair  is  always  weak, 
and  the  mark  of  an  effeminate  character ;  and  it  feems  that  fi  om 
confidering  it  in  tliis  fenfe,  St.  Paul  fays,  "  That  if  a  man  have 
**  long  hair,  ir  is  a  iliamc  unto  him."  I.  Co:\  c.  xi.  v.  xW.  If 
It  is  ii;rait  at  the  fame  time,  it  cannot  correfpond  with  a  manly 
temper.  I  call  that  vulgar  hair  which  isflioft,  ftralt,  and  irregu- 
larly planted;  and  alfo  fuch  as  falls  ia  fmall,  pointed,  and  difa- 
greeable  locks,  particularly  when  it  iscoarfe  and  of  a  dark  Irown. 
The  epithet  noble  I  a5ign  to  fuch  hair  as  is  of  a  golden  yellow, 
or  to  the  fiaxen.  approaching  to  the  brown,  pleadingly  iljining 
and  formir^g  eaiy  and  agreeable  ringlets.  Strait,  black  hair, 
thick  and  coarfe,  denotes  little  un^erflanding,  but  afiidiiity,  and 
the  love  of  order.  Thin  black  hair  upun  a  head  half  bald,  the 
forehead  being  highaud  well  arched,  has  often  furnifhe<i  me  with 

a  proof 


324  'laVater's    ph  y  si  OGNdfi^Y, 

a  proof  of  a  found  and  clear  judgment,  but  excluding'  inventidii 
and  flaflies  of  wit :  on  the  contrary;  this  fame  kind  of  hair, 
when  it  is  entirely  ftrait  and  fleek  implies  a  decided  weaknefs  in 
the  intelleftual  faculties.  In  hot  climates  the  hair  is  of  the 
deepeft  black ;  in  temperate  ones  it  is  not  fo  dark,  or  the  colour 
is  brown;  and  in  cold  countries  it,  varies  between  the  yellow, 
the  red,  and  the  brown  :  old  age  odcafions  the  hair  of  different 
colours  to  become  grey;  and  it  has  been  remarked,  that  people 
employed  in  the  manufacture  of  copper  and  brafs  have  the 
colour  of  their  hair  changed  to  green.  Flaxen  hair  generally 
announces  a  delicate  and  fanguino-phlegmatic  temperament. 
Red  hair  is  laid  to  charafterife  a  man  fupremely  good  or  fu- 
premely  wicked.  A  ftriking  contrail  between  the  colour  of 
the  hair  and  that  of  the  eyebroAVs  excites  my  fufpicion. 

The  diverfities  in  the  coats  of  different  animals  fufficiently 
ihew  what  expreilion  there  is  in  the  varieties  of  the  -human  hair. 
Compare  the  wool  of  the  iheep  with  the  fur  of  the  wtjlf,  the 
coat  of  the  hare  with  that  of  the  hyena;  compare  the  plumage 
of  different  kinds  of  birds,  and  yoti  cannot  fail  to  be  convinced 
that  thofe  excreifances  are  charai^teriftics,- which  help  to  dilcrirni- 
nate  the  feveral  capacities  and  inclinations  of  each  animal.  Thefe 
refleflions  will   recal   to  your   mind  the  obfervation,    '  That 

♦  the  fmalleft  hair  of  the  head  is  fprrned  by  the  fubiime  power 
«  and  will  of  the  Almighty;  that  he  has  numbered  them  ail,  and 

*  that  not  a  fingle  one  falls  off  without  his  order.* 

Were  it  only  on  account  of  my  admiration  of  the  hair  of  thy 
head,  I  would  faJute  thee,  Algernon  Sidney,  in  whom  I  refpe6!: 
the  honefl  man,  the  zealous  patriot,  though  ibmetimes  hurried  a= 
vvay  by,  and  made  2  prey  to,  the  weakneffes  of  humanity. 


CHAP. 


tAVATfia's    PHYSIOGNOMY.  Ji^ 


C  H  A  P.    XII. 


Gf  the  Hands. 

There  is  quite  as  mU|Cl>  iJiyerjQty  and  diflitnilitude  between  the 
'form  of  the  hands,,  as  ^there  is  between  diiferent  countenances. 
This  truth,  is  founded  on  experience,  and  needs  no  proof.  Two 
faces  bearing  an  eKa6trefemblauce  no  where  exift:  fo  you  will 
not'find  in  two  different  perfons  the  hands  alike.  The  greater 
the  likenefs  of  the  faces,  the  greater  will  be  found,  that  of  the 
hands.  There  is  not  lef§  variation  in  the  parts  of  the  body  than 
in  the  charaftcrs ;  and  it  is  the  fame  principle  which  occafions 
this  dllfeience  in  the  one  and  in  the  other.  Conformibly  with. 
thefe  decifive  obfervat;on?,  the  diverfity  of  chaia^ter  will  maiii- 
felily  appear  in  the  form  of  the  hands:  this  cannot  be  doabted, 
without  blindly^  denying,  the  force  of  evidence.  The  form  of 
the  hand  has  infinite  variety,  accordino  to  the  relations,  the  ana- 
logies, and  changes  of  which  it, is  fufceptible.  Its  fize,  its  bones, 
its  nerves,  its  muiclej,'its  flefh,  its  colour,  its  contours,  its  pofi- 
tion,.  its  mobility,  its  tenfion,  its  ftate  of  reft,  its  proportion,  its 
length,  Its  rour.dnefs — all  thefe  pi  efenr  diftinctionsea.y  to  be  per- 
cei'^^ed.  Everv  hand,  in  its  natural  flate,  that  is  to  fay,  abftra6ted 
from  extraordinary  accidents,  will  he  found  in  perfect  analogy 
with  the  body  of  which  it  forms  a  part.  The  bones,  the  nerves, 
the  mufcles,  the  blood,  and  the  Ikin  of  the  hand^  are  but  a  con- 
tinuity of  the  boms,  the  nerves,  the  mufcles,.  the  blood,  and  the 
ikin  cf  the  reft  of  the  bcwly.  The  fame  blood  circulates  in  the 
heart,  in  the  head,  and  in  the  hand.  Thefe  are  truths  which  an 
infant  may  comprehend,  and  which  will  not  admit  of  difpute ; 
but  1  muft  examme  them,  becauC"  they  will  ferve  to  clear  up  all 
the  myftery  of  the  phyGagnomy  of  the  hand  ;  a  myftery  which 
may  at  once  give  rife  to  ridicule  and  aftoniiiiment. 

One  particular  hand  caii  only  correfpond  with  one  particular 

body. 


$46  J,AVAT£R*S     PHYSIOGNOMY. 

body,^and  with  no  other.  The  thing  is  eafy  to  be  proved.  Se- 
lect one  hand  for  a  model,  compare  it  with  a  thoufand  other 
hands,  and  in  this  great  number  it  will  not  appear  that  a  finglc 
one  could  be  fubflituted  in  the  place  of  the  firft.  But,  it  will  be 
faid,  the  painters  and  fculptors  compofe  homogeneal  forms,  and 
give  to  detached  parts  conformity  and  agreement,  either  real  or 
imaginary.  To  this  I  reply,  that  your  objection  proves  the  di- 
reft  contrary  to  the  fa6t  it  is  intended  to  eftablifh.  But  much 
more  may  ftilJ  be  urged  in  oppoiirion  to  this  pretended  homo- 
geneity. Who  mufl  be  allowed  to  judge  upon  this  queftion,  but 
the  phyfiognomift  who  is  qualified  to  comprehend,  to  appreciate, 
to  analyfe  and  to  compofe  the  harmony  of  the  different  parts  of 
the  human  body  ?  Well,  this  fame  phyliognomift,  you  will  fay, 
has  often  fearched  in  vain  in  the  prod  unions  of  art  for  this  boafl- 
cd  homogeneity,  and  moft  of  thefe  proJuftions  have  difgufted 
him  by  the  heterogeneous  affociations  they  prefent  to  view.  I 
confefs  there  are  imitations  to  which  we  cannoc  deny  the  merit 
of  homogeneity :  but  thefe  do  not  Ihew  that  fpecies  of  homo- 
geneity here  alluded  to;  they  are  not  the  fports  of  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  artifl:  they  are  pafTable  copies  of  originals,  and  if 
they  have  fome  congruity,  chance  has  determined  that  they  Ihali 
be  more  or  lefs  in  analogy  with  the  pieces  to  which  they  are  an- 
nexed ;  the  artift  has  been  able  to  difpofe,  adjuff,  and  difguifc 
them  with  fufficient  addrefs  to  give  them  the  appearance  of  a 
certain  degree  of  homogeneity. 

If  in  the  works  of  nature  it  were  polfible  to  add  an  anonma- 
lous  hand  or  finger,  cr  the  trunk  of  an  arm  or  hand,  fuch  patch- 
work afTuredly  would  efcape  no  one's  obfervation ;  and  the  rea- 
fon  is  evident.  Can  art,  which  is  no  more,  which  can  be  no 
more  than  an  imitation  of  nature,  excel  her  portotype,  while 
file  is  reduced  to  the  neceflity  of  enlarging,  diminifhing,  oblite- 
rating, adding  to,  mutilating  and  reparing  what  ever  fiie  forms  ? 
In'vain  may  the  artifl  colour  and  daub  over  his  pieces,  retrace 
all  their  ilhifions,  ftiil  he  is  but  fabricating  with  borrowed  ma> 
terials.  But  nature  is  always  able,  from  her  own  proper  re- 
fources,  to  furpafs  whatever  flie  has  already  produced.  Her 
operations  are  upon  a  grand  and  comprehenfive  foale,  while  art 


lavater's   physiognomy.  327 

IS  only  able  to  follow  her  in  fome  particulars.  Nature  embrace^ 
the  whole,  but  art  is  confined  to  the  furface,  or  rather  to  particu- 
lar parts  of  the  furface.  If  then  there  is  fomething  characlereftic 
in  our  exterior,  if  men  differ  from  each  other  in  form  and  charac- 
ter, upon  the  fame  principal  it  muH  be  admitted,  that  the  hand 
contributes  its  part  to  make  known  the  charafter  of  the  individual, 
and  that  it  is,  as  well  as  other  members  of  the  body,  an  object 
claiming  the  attention  of  the  phyfionomift — an  object  the  more 
lignificant  and  the  more  linking,  as  tlie  hand  cannot,  diffemble, 
and  is  every  moment  betrayed  by  its  own  mobility.  I  fay  it  can- 
not dilfemble  ;  for  the  moft  crafty  hypocrite,  the  moll  experienced 
cheat,  cannot  alter  the  form,  the  contours,  the  proportions,  nor 
the  mufcles  of  his  hand,  nor  even  one  feclion  of  his  hand  :  he  can 
only  conceal  its  expreffion  from  the  obfcrvation  of  the  obferver^ 
by  withdrawing  it  altogether  from  view.  The  mobih'ty  of  the 
hand  is  not  lefs  exprcflive.  Of  all  the  parts  of  our  bodies  this  has 
moft  activity  and  moil  abounds  in  articulations.  More  than  twenty 
joints  and"  articulations  concur  towards  the  multiplicity  of  its 
movements.  Such  activity  muft  neceffarily  furnifh  phyfiognomical 
charadlers;  they  mull  explain  the  character  of  the  body  with 
which  the  hand  is  fo  intimately  conne6led,  the  charader  of  the 
temperament,  and  confequently  that  of  the  mind  and  the  heart. 

Be  it  in  motion  or  in  a  Hate  of  reft,  the  expreffion  of  the  hand 
cannot  be  mifunderftood.  Its  moft  tranquil  pofition  indicates  our 
natural  difpofitions  ;  its  flexions,  our  atlions  and  our  pafiions.  In 
all  its  movements,  it  follows  the  im.puliion  given  it  by  the  reft  of 
the  body.  It  is  the  atteftation  of  the  grandeur  and  fuperiority  of 
man. 

A.   B,    Twenty  Hands. 

Of  all  thefe  hands  there  is  not  one  that  I  would  reject,  or  con- 
found with  the  ordinary  clafs.  I  would  afiign  them  al]  to  noble 
and  elevated  charafters,  and  I  will  fay  furtlier,  that  they  arc 
defigned  by  an  artift  who  underftands  the  beautiful.  Ke  has 
carefully  avoided  thofe  exaggerated  Ihortenlngs  which  are  always 
the  lign  of  ftupidity  approaching  to  brutality  ;  while,  on  the 
other  hand,  long  ^nd  very  flender  fingers  hardly  ever  aifociate 
Vol.  III.  y  with 


j2^  lavater's    physiognomv. 

With  a  rude  and  grofs  mind.  I  think  I  perceive  the  mok  dignity 
and  delicacy  in  2.  It  difplays  the  geflnre  of  confolation  and  af- 
fedling  exhortation.  4  and  1 1  are  weak  j^nd  effeminate.  1 7  and 
iS  are  excellently  formed,  and  1  fliall  fay  they  belong  to  artifts. 
The  energy  of  16  renders  it  capable  of  the  greatefl:  enterprizes*  It 
will  be  difficult  to  refill  the  perfuafive  eloquence  and  urgent  fup- 
pHcations  of  12.  I  expe^l  from  19  manly  courage  and  a  fteady 
mind,  though  the  attitude  has  a  little  conftraint.  The  fame  con- 
flraint  appears  in  30,  which  doos  not  exprefs  all  that  it  would. 
I  Is  the  kand  of  a  rsother  who  affe6lionately  commands  her  be- 
loved daughter.  3,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  13,  15,  have  no  ©bjed  in  the 
-delig'n.  We  cannot  ill  thefe  defcry  much  of  the  ideas  of  the  de- 
figner,  who  is  more  attached  to  the  beauty  ®f  form  than  the  truth 
of  expreffion.  This'  is  the  great  fault  in  moft  of  the  academies  ; 
rarely  do  they  exhibit  natural  attitudes ;  they  deviate  from  thofe 
{iraple  and  eafy  movements  which  are  the  eife(?i;  of  our  own  iaclin- 
ations,  and  in  which  we  always  obfcrved  an  intentioa  marking  3 
determinate  caufe, 

C.    Hand  ep  a  Woman. 

This  is  the  hand  of  a  woman,  but  it  is  too  long,  tco  curving, 
and  has  too  ftudied  aa  air  ©f  delicacy.  I  believe  it  to  be  a  fanciful 
produ^ion,  the  model  of  which  does  not  exift  in  nature.  In  fhort 
vv€  already  know  the  artift  after  whom  this  is  copied,  and  are  con- 
vinced that  he  delights  in  exaggerating  his  charafters,  both  in  the 
terrible  and  the  delightful :  this  defiga,  at  leaft^  pr®ves  that,  he 
had  the  fldll  ©f  regulating  his  ftrokes,  and  that  his  genius  was  not 
incapable  of  fweet  and  agreeable  exprefiions.  Whatever  impref- 
fion  this  hand  may  make  upon  minds  entirely  fenfual,  to  me  it  ap- 
pears colcl.  I  would  Hot  depend  upon  its  folidity,  nor  upon  the  vi» 
vacity  of  its  friendfhip,  I  fhould  rather  expert  from  it  the  artifice 
and  finefs  of  coquetry. 

D.     Two  Hands. 

Here  you  will  undoubtedly  recognize  the  fame  maiier,  who  has 
endeavoured  to  place  in  contrail  the  delicacy  of  a  female  hand  with 
the  energy  ef  the  hand  pf  a  man :  I  even  fuppofe  that  his  ov^n 

hani 


3] 


LAVATEE.S     PHYSIOGNOMY".  329 

Kand  ferved  as  the  model  .for  the  laft.  That  which  croffes  the 
■  other  at  the  upper  part  of  the  print  indicates  ealmnefs  and  repofe; 
the  other,  rapid  and  firm,  feems  to  be  formed  for  execution.  The 
firft  needs  to  be  guided,  the  fecoad  dirc6is  itTelf,  it  would  become 
predominant,  woald  govern  and  impofe  the  law.  '  Bwt  notwith- 
itanding  all  the  pains  the  artift  has  taken,  it  does  not  excel  cither 
in  the  correclnefs  of  dellgn  or  the  elegance  of  the  fliortenin^^. 

k    Eo     Eight  Hands, 

None  of  thefe  hands  are  coarfe  or  ignoble:  I  do  not  even  fuf- 
pe6:  them  of -wicked nefs.  That  they  Irave  the  fund  of  corruptiori 
infeparable  from  human  nature,  that  they  are  capable  of  bad  as 
well  as  good  actions,  I  will  not  deny ;  but  1  believe  them  not  to 
be  iormed  for  ferviie  Employments,  and  ftlll  lefs  fc'r  acfts  of  violence 
and  atrocity.  i  Appears  principally  to  afpire  to  the  enjoyments 
of  the  pleafurcs  of  natural  philofophy.  2  Excels  in  whatever  re- 
quires addrefs,  delicacy,  and  tafte  :  this  will  fucceed  in  inftrumen- 
tal  muficj  and  in  female  employments.  3.  Denotes  a  thinker  che- 
riihing  noble  ideas,  and  a  perfon  deficient  neither  in  tafle  nor  dex- 
terity. The  attitude  of  4  is  replete  with  gdodncTs,  gracioufnefsj 
and  grandeur.  5.  Seems  to  haire  niiich  fenfibility,  and  even  vo- 
luptuoufnefs.  6.  Urges  and  perfuades  with  gentlenefs,  but  at 
the  fame  time  with  efitcacy.  7 6  Will  not  prevail  with  us  fo  eafily 
as  the  preceding,  and  will  not  fo  clearly  convince  us  as  4.  In 
conclufioB,  I  find  in  8  the  elevation,  the  dignity,  the  wifdom  and. 
the  experience  which  caaradlerife  the  apoif  les» 

Of  tke  Breast,   the  Belly,  the  Thigh6,  the  Legs,   aneJ 

THE  Feet. 

Each  of  thefe  fubjecls  being  diflinflly  difcuffed  in  detail^  they 
would  each  prefent  a  phyfiongnomical  Thefis  ;  but  I  (hall  be  con- 
cJfe,  confining  myfelf  to  generalities. 

All  the  world  knovS^s  that  lafge  (lloulderg  gradually  floping,  and 
wlilch  do  not  rife  to  a  point,  are  a  figfi  of  ftrength ;  irregular 
fhoulders  generally  fignify  a  delicate  conftitution,  and  they  are  a!-* 
{g  faid  to  imply  c-jnning,  adivity  of  irtind,  and  the  love  ®t  order 

Y  z  and 


and  re^^ulariiT  A  large  and  fquard  bresft^  not  too  convex  nor  to^ 
concave,  always  tappofes  flioulders  well  ccnftracledj  and  h  of  the 
fame  charader.  A  Hat  and,  if  the  expreffion  may  be  ufedj  a  hoi* 
lowed  bredO:,  denotes  a  feeble  temperament.  Among  men,  a 
bread  which  is  excef2.Fely  hairy  announce c  a  voluptuous  difpofi- 
tion,  A  large  and  prominent  belly  incline*  much  mere  to  fenfuality 
and  indolence  than  a  flat  aiid  retreating  one ;  and  I  always  cxpe6l 
more  energy  and  adivity,  a  more  complying  difpolition  and  more 
ino-euuity  in  a  dry  temperament  than  in  a  body  exceffively  corpu- 
lent. I  have,  however,  feen  perfons  of  a  flender  form  who  were 
extremely  dilatory  and  indolent,  but  then  their  character  of  in- 
activity was  marked  in  the  lower  part  of  the  countenance.  Lc 
Torfe  at  Rome  is  the  perfe(St  model  of  a  well  proportioned  back 
and  belly  ;  in  every  refpect  he  bears  the  imprint  of  an  energy 
which  notliing  can  fubjugate. 

Let  us  add  fome  examples  which  may  be  equally  applicable  to 
;inofl:  of  the  chapter*  of  this  k6ture,  and  which  perhaps  may  con- 
tribute fliil  more  to  exemplify  our  obfervations  on  the  form  of  the 
face  in  general,  and  of  its  different  parti  taken  fcparatcly.  The 
iubjctt  is  too  rich  ever  to  be  cxhauftcd  or  fully  explained. 

Four  Heads. 

I .'  The  reader  vvill  recoiled  thati  make  diftin£tion between  talent 
and  genius,  between  a  grand  phyjiognomy  and  affiiiiualphyjiognomy. 
This  face,  whether  it  be  confidered  with  refpe£t  to  its  form  alto- 
gether, or  according  to  its  feveral  diHinCt  parts,  announces  nei^ 
ther  the  great  man  nor  the  fuperior  genius,  but  it  promifes  ability 
and  the  charafter  of  goodnefs.  Whether  it  be  illufion  or  not,  I 
think  I  defcry  in  this  engraving,  that  colouring  w^hich  diftinguifhes 
men  of  talents,  that  fober  tint  which  commonly  indicates  a  facili- 
ty of  conception  and  a  clear  underftanding.  I  am  fure  that  in  the 
original  the  eyes  are  light  blue,  and  that  they  could  not  be  brown. 
i  am  alfo  fure  that  nature  formed  them  for  examining  objects  with 
penetration  and  juftnefs,  always  regarding  them  in  the  moft  fa- 
vourable point  of  view.  A  mild  benevolence  and  aAiiable  conde- 
fcention  feem  to  animate  the  mouth,  the  eloquence  of  which,  how- 
ever, wctild  rather  perfuade  than  enrapture  mc»     In  fhort,  were  I 

t© 


Faae  330 . 


Tc-ZJ/Z. 


^ 


:\us 


m 


«i 


LA?ATEr's    physiognomy.  \]^i 

Uo  he  accufed  of  prejudice,  ftill  I  would  rely  on  the  traits  oF  getic- 
rofity  w'hich  that  man  prcfcnts  v^ere  it  only  on  account  of  tkic 
form  of  the  chin  and  the  pidiurcfque  arrangement  of  the  hair. 

2.  It  13  dif^cult  to  refid  thi'S  look^  The  form  of  the  eye  itfdf 
has  nothing  of  grandeur,  nothing  of  fuperiority,  nor  of  majt;{ly  ; 
but  its  effei3:s  are  ailoniihing  j  and  all  that  part  from  the  eyebrow , 
to  the  corner  of  the  eye  gives  to  this  phylionoray  an  imprefUveaLr 
i©f  dignitYo  A  look  which  exprefles  fo  much  delicac^^  v/hich  dc- 
aetrates  with  fo-much  foftnefs,  which  difcovers  fo  much  rapiditr 
and  preciiiGH,  niiift  neceffarily  command  refpe^S:.  The  contour  of 
the  nofe  denotes  Icfs  penetration  than  good  fenfe  ;  and  that  mouih 
lb  capable  or  (hewing  difdain,  but  which  never  affumes  that  air 
but  after  the  moH  mature  reflection/  admoniihts  you  not  to  pro- 
voke It  by  impertinence  or  inconfiftcncy  of  beliaTioun 

3.  This  we  may  boldly  rank  in  the  riomber  of  grand  phyfionc mea- 
sles; in  the  n^imber  of  ihofe  wife  and  firm  countenances  which  it 
h  equally  difScult  to  approach  or  to  avoid,  Obfcrve  how  the 
S:rength  of  his  natural  underftaiidlng  rifes  fuperior  to  his  acquired 
qualifications  and  to  liraple  talent.  It  is  not  that  I  afcribe  fiib- 
iimity  of  gesius  to  the  original  of  this  portrait ;  I  expe6l  not  frora 
him.  the  enthufiafm  of  poetry;  but  the  excellence  of  his  judg- 
ment, the  faperiority  of  his  underflanding,  aflure  him  fuccefs  la. 
all  his  undertakings.  In  fhort,  would  it  be  eafy  to  elude  the  fcru- 
t'lmLmg  glance  of  that  eye^,  the  fagacity  of  that  difcerning  nofe. 
Would  you  flatter  yourfeif  with  having  power  to  force  a  fecrct- 
from  that  mouth  fo  meditative  and  fo  prudent,  or  to  control  or 
fubdue  a  chin  fo  energetic  ?  Be  affured  your  endeavours  vt'ouki  be 
fruitlefs  :  for  in  general  that  fquarc  form  of  the  face  fuppofts  a 
eiind  firm  and  refolved,  neither  eafy  to  be  im.pofcd  upon,  nor  apt 
to  abandon  oDinions  it  h^s  once  entertained. 

4,.  An  ineshaufiible  fund  of  judgment,  a  fedate  mind,  which  con- 
fuits  reafon  on  all  occafions,  the  love  of  rectitude,  and  thoughtful 
activity — This  ih  what  my  phyfionomical  tracl  makes  me  perceive 
in  this  fketch ;  this  is  what  every  connoifTeur  muil,  like  myfelf, 
ebferve  on  the  iiril  view,  but  much  more  plainly  upon  an  attentive 
examinstion,  Huwevcv  favourable  an  idea  Imay  form  of  the  ori- 
ginal.. 


33«  fcAVATER's    PH  YSlOGNOMVi 

ginal,  I  nerertlielefs  confefs  that  philofophical  fpeculations  and 
the  difFiculties  of  analogy  are  perhaps  above  his  reach  ;  but  on  the 
other  hand  I  will  affirm,  that  his  plans  are  conceived  with  fimpll- 
city  and  prudence,  that  he  is  fure  of  his  means,  that  his  fercnity 
and  firmnefs  will  infallibly  enably  him  to  attain  his  purpofes.  I 
expe(5i  net  lefs  from  a  forehead  fo  expanfive  and  fo  regularly  arch- 
ed, from  thofe  undulated  eyebrows,  from  the  glance  of  that  eye, 
from  the  form  of  the  nofe,  which  announces  a  man  inftrufied  by 
experience — from  that  mouth,  not  xtvj  alluring,  if  you  will,  but 
ilill  extremely  expreilive — from  that  energetic  chin — from  all  the 
contour,  in  fnort,  extending  from  the  top  of  the  forehead  to  the 
lower  part  of  the  cheek. 

K.     General  Elliot« 

Acknowledge  here  the  image  of  valour,  orrelinquifh  the  fearcb 
cf  it  elfewhere.  If  we  had  never  heard  this  hero  fpoken  of^ 
from  the  traits  iliould  we  dare  to  accufe  him  of  timidity,  or  to 
call  him  orily  half-bold.-  V/hat  !  Would  nature  mould  fuch  a 
form  without  an  obje6l  and  without  a  defign  ?  Does  fhe  not  mark 
with  her  refpeclable  feal  her  moil  fublime  produ61:tons  ?  Has  not 
the  Sovereign  of  the  Univerfe  the  privilege  of  CHobling  his 
favourites  ;  has  he  neither  titles  nor  marks  of  digaity  to  dillri- 
bwte  ?  Has  he  not  other  decorations  for  great  men  th^n  thofe  ho- 
nours, or  fuppoftd  honours,  conferred  by  our  princes,  who  are 
fomttinies  themfelves  of  the  mofi  fubaltern  clafs  of  nature? 

It  is  very  apparent  that  this  print  is  but  a  feebls  reprodu6l.ion 
or 'a  defective  copy  ;  but  I  am  fure  the  refemblance  is  more  or 
lefs  preferved,  and  that  it  is  not  altogether  unworthy  of  the  ori= 
ginah  We  muil  blame  the  defigner  if  the  eye  is  not  in  perfe6l 
liarmony  v/ith  the  refl  of  the  fitce,  and  particularly  for  the  ftili 
greater  remifTnefs  difcoverable  in  that  energetic  nofe.  Ic  is  pity 
the  hat  conceals  the  fineft  part  of  the  face.  The  forehead  mani- 
feils,  like  the  reft  of  the  phyfionomy,  the  true  hero,  who  never 
ceafes  to  be  fo,  and  v/ho,  aKvays  great  in  hlmfelf,  will  be  confpi- 
tuous  in  all  the  fituations  to  which  fate  fhall  call  him, 

"We  often,  but  with  much  injuflice  complain  that  great  geniufeS 
are  net  placed  ia  their  proper  fituatioBS.     Do  you  believe  that 


30 


I/Avater's    physiognomy.  33^5 

Elliot  was  at  Gibralter  ?  Wafhington  In  America  ?  Necljar  at  the 
head  of  the  finances  of  France.  ?  Frederick  on  the  thione  of 
PrulTia  ?  Let  us  endeavour,  kind  readers,  to  become  more  piu- 
dent  In  our  judgments,  and  to  perfuade  ourfelves  that  tthe  Beinor 
of  Beings  knows  how  to  affign  to  each  of  his  creatures  the  ilation 
that  Is  meft  proper  for  him.  To  prefcribe  laws  to  Kjs  wifdom 
would  be  folly  and  temerity. 

L.      General  Washington, 

It  Is  already  known  that  I  miftrufl  the  accuray  of  refemblancc 
in  all  engraved  portraits,  and  I  believe  I  have  before  fald,  that,  in 
general,  I  look  upon  the  reprefentatlons  of  cclebrafeed  men,  as  b* 
many  carrlcatures.  1  am  not  acquainted  with  the  original  of  tliis 
print,  but  he  has  performed  great  and  aftonifhing  things,  fuch  as 
not  one  In  ten  thoufand  would  have  undertaken — and  can  we  rc- 
fufe  the  character  ef  grandeur  to  him  whofe  aftions  bear  the  Ini- 
prlnt  of  that  chara^ler  ?  Let  us  fuppofe  that  an  Individual  fliould 
afpire  to  decide  an  event  attracling  the  admiration  of  the  agg-  in 
which  he  lived,  and  the  execution  of  it  not  feeming  to  lie  witliin 
the  fcope  ef  pofiibiilty,  would  not  the  phyfionomift  be  anxious  to 
know  the  traits  of  the  mortfil  appointed  by  fortune  to  be  the  in* 
ftrument  of  fo  memorable  a  revolution.  Here  I  fee  the  fame  ob- 
long form  which  the  other  portraits  of  Mr.  JVafJj'wgton  is  ftill 
jnore  exaggerated.  Such  a  form,  v/hen  It  is  not  too  angulous,  al- 
ways indicates  phlegm  and  lirmnefs.  This  is  the  character  of  the 
phyfionomy  we^are  nou'-  examining,  which  befidcs  equally  recom- 
mends Itfelf  by  its  great  ferenenefs,  by  its  intrepidity,  and  Us  e.x- 
preflion  of  probityj  wifdom  and  goodnefs.  Without  being  fo  fe- 
ducing  as  Julius  Cssfar  or  Newton,  it  is  In  the  number  of  thofe 
phyfiognomic-s  which  improve  upon  the  fpe6lators,  upon  more 
f:lofe  examination  ;  and  this  portrait  would  have  appeared  to  more 
advantage  had  the  flirokes  been  made  with  more  boldnefs  and  w- 
gour.  I  will  fay  further,  that  if  (Irength  and  fv.eetnefs  united 
in  a  juil  proportion  and  in  perfe6l  harmony  form  the  character  of 
a  great  foul,  this  countenance  reprefents  that  charadler  to  a  cci-- 
taln  degree— but  I  muft  at  the  fame  time  acknowledge,  that  if 
the  expreflioH  of  the  original  is  not  ftill  more  animated,  If  from 
^hevivaclty  and  dignity  of  the^traits  it  is  not  fuperior  to  the  cc^py. 


^34  tAvAT  er's  PH!r3iosriOMr» 

it  mud  I  Vnpofe  filence  upon  the  phyfiognoray.  The  forehead  de-. 
notes  much  perfplcuitj,  but  it  has  not  eaough  of  profundity^  and 
though  1 1  is  happily  formed,  it  feems  to  exclude  penetration  |  th^ 
eyes  are  iiiil.of  good-temper  and  mildnefs,  but  they  have  Deither 
the,  bene  volence,  prudence,  nor  the  energy  of  heroifm  which  arc 
jnfepkrable  from  true  grandeur.  The  whole  of  this  face  an- 
nounces :s  man  of  integrity,  confiflent,  ilneere,  firm,  deliberative 
and  gen€3-ous  ;  and  thefe  diSerent  properties  taken  together,  are 
capable  of  forming  a  perfonage  of  the  firft  rank  in  merit,  though 
neither  oi  them  may  furpafs  another  in  an  eminent  degree.  I  per» 
i'ifi,  then  in  fayicg,  that  if  TVq/hingtonh  the  author  of  the  revolu- 
lution,  w&kh  we  have  been  witnefs  to  his  undertaking  and  tE&ci- 
fng.tvith  fa  much  fnccefs,  the  defigner  mail  inevitably  have  fofFer-' 
€d  fome  qf  the  mofl  prominent  traits  of  the  original  to  have 
efcaped  him.  Every  man  has  ideas  beyond  the  reach  of  his  ac- 
tion, and  no^ne  is  able  to  concenter  all  his  faculties^  all  his  capaci- 
ties in  vThat  he -performs  or  what  he  produces — and  for  this 
:ftrong  re?fon  the  phyfioEomy  of  a  celebrated  man  kkjiI  always  h% 
fiipsrior  to  tBe  bdl  portraits  of  him  that  can  be  produced. 


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